Congress opposes hike in passenger fares

Shimla, Feb 25 (UNI) The Congress today opposed the Himachal Pradesh Government's recent decision to hike bus fares by 25 per cent and said a hike of Rs two in petrol and Re one in diesel did not call for such a steep rise in the passenger fares.

Addressing mediapersons here, party's state secretary and spokesman Kuldeep Rathore said the recent 25 per cent hike in bus fares was not in consonence with the increase in the petroleum prices announced by the UPA Government.

Instead of laying the blame on the UPA Government, the state government should initiate administrative changes in the HP Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) to make it a profitable organisation, he said.

Referring to another government's decision of reducing VAT by 7.5 per cent on liquor besides license fee, Mr Rathore said it would not serve any purpose for the common man, while the tipplers would make merry.

He called upon the government to reconsider its decision on making liquor cheaper in the state and said it should carry out its responsibilities with more dedication and devotion.

Replying to a question on large scale reshuffle of officers in the state, the Congress leader said the government would do well by concentrating on developmental works than on transferring of officials from one department to the other.

Observing that the Prem Kumar Government had faltered in its first month itself, he said the rise in the passengers fares, which were not increased by the previous COngress government during the last five years, was a proof of that.

Asserting that Congress was gearing up for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, Mr Rathore said it was organising a two-day training camp for its state and district level spokesman at Delhi in the near future and prepare them to match the BJP's propaganda.

UNI AS HS SHB BST2005