Punjab Minister rides bicycle to protest fuel hike

Chandigarh, June 12 (UNI) Punjab Transport Minister Master Mohan Lal, today chose to pedal a bicycle to the state Civil Secretariat to register his protest against the hike in petrol, diesel and LPG prices by the centre.

Masterji, as he is fondly called by friends, rode the bicycle from his official residence in Sector 39 to his office at the Civil Secretariat. He was accompanied by BJP youth leader and member National Executive of the Party, Vineet Joshi.

Later, while addressing mediapersons after this extremely adventurous jaunt, the Minister said he had opted to ride a bicycle to convey a strong point against the rising inflation and an indifferent union government. While lambasting the union government for absolute failure to control spiraling prices, especially of essential commodities, he said the government was not concerened about the common man.

''I simply wanted to relate and identify myself with a common man and the best way to do this is to stand in common man's shoes and view things'', said Masterji, who was a keen wrestler in his youth and now runs an 'akhara' in his home town Pathankot.

''As Transport Minister I understand the meaning of a phenomenal and unprecedented hike in diesel and petrol prices'', he remarked.

Interestingly, Master Mohan Lal at times prefers to travel by bus to get first hand information of the problems of passengers and the bus crew.

UNI HS AKJ NS1800