Bengal assembly adopts resolution against rail fare hike

Kolkata, June 23 (IANS) A resolution seeking immediate roll-back of the "highest ever" hike in railway fares was adopted Monday by the West Bengal assembly.

"The central government recently has created an unprecedented situation by increasing freight rates and passenger fares by 6.5 percent and 14.2 percent respectively. Due to this, the prices of essential commodities will increase, making the lives of crores of Indians miserable," said the resolution moved by state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee.

Moving the resolution, Chatterjee described the highest ever increase in the fare to be unexpected and unprecedented.

The resolution, that was supported by leader of opposition Surjya Kanta Mishra of the Communist Party of India-Marxist, will be sent to the central government in the form of a letter urging them to roll back the rail fare hike.

Meanwhile, the ruling Trinamool, which has announced a week-long agitation across the state against the hike, Monday took out a protest rally in the city during the day.

The CPI-M-led Left Front held protest demonstrations in a large number of railway stations of all the 19 districts Saturday.