HP ministers defend hike in passengers fares

Shimla, Feb 25 (UNI) Six ministers in the Himachal Pradesh Government today defended the government's decision on hiking bus fares in the state and said the Congress was opposing the new BJP Government for the sake of opposition.

PWD Minister Gulab Singh Thakur, IPH minister Ravinder Ravi, Transport minister Krishan Kapoor, Horticulture Minister Narinder Bragta, Health Minister Rajiv Bindal and Forest Minister J P Nadda, in a joint press statement here, said the Congress leaders were issuing statements without knowing the factual position.

Before making such statements, the Congress leaders should remember that continuous increase in petrol and diesel prices by the UPA Government had compelled the state government to increase the bus fares.

It would have been better if the Congress leaders had pressurised the UPA Government not to increase the prices of diesel and petrol, they said.

The ministers said the bus fares in the state was increased under compulsion only and interests of all sections of the society was kept in mind while taking the decision.

The state government would reduce the increase in bus fares if the UPA Government withdrew the price rise of various commodities.

The Congress leaders instead of extending their co-operation to Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, who had urged the Union Petroleum Minister Murli Deora to introduce the CNG buses in the state, were making false statements, they added.

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