In a tough decision taken by Modi government, it has cleared the rail passenger fare hike by Indian Railway and also the freight charges. The increase in Passenger Fair is as much as 14-2 percent whereas freight charges by 6.5 percent. Certainly the decision is astonishing and surprising for the common man of country which was expecting some relief from the Modi government. Opposition has criticized the move of the government.
It is noted that, the Order of Fare and Freight revision issued by the Ministry of Railways was finalised by the previous Government, is only 10 % hike in Passenger Fare and 5 % hike in Freight Rates.
According to PIB sources, the figure of 14.2 % hike in Passenger Fare and 6.5 % hike in Freight Rates is inclusive of the Fuel Adjustment Component (FAC) (4.2 % for Passenger Fare and 1.5 % Approx. for Freight Rates) which is done once in six months routinely, depending upon the fluctuations in Oil Prices similar to retail prices of Diesel and Petrol at Petrol Bunks.
The additional burden due to oil Prices fluctuation, will get reviewed if the price of Oil decreases. It is pertinent to note that the Fuel Adjustment Component (FAC) linked revision has already been implemented twice earlier by the previous government and was last done in October 2013.
Government has said that the Railway passenger fare and freight rate revision was done as part of interim budget presented by the previous government. But the implementation of revised rates was withdrawn by previous regime because of the elections. Meeting the annual expenditure would not be possible unless the revised rates as finalized by previous government is implemented, hence order of withdrawing implementation of revised fare and freight has been withdrawn. Accordingly, the revised passenger fare and freight rates & freight structure rationalization will come into effect from 25th June 2014.
Congress has slammed the government's move. Congress leader Ajay Makan said that it is the gift by the Modi government which is putting an additional burden on the shoulders of the common man and middle class of the country.
|
|
Comments:
