Narendra Modi demands withdrawal of freight hike order

New Delhi, Mar 7: Strongly objecting to the Railways decision to allow steep hike in freight before the Rail Budget, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said it would add to the woes of the common man and demanded its immediate withdrawal.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Modi has asked him to ensure that the decision on freight tariff hike is rescinded in the larger interest of the people. Railways have increased the freight rate of all commodities including foodgrains, fertiliser, cement and coal ranging from 15 per cent to 35 per cent.

The increase in freight had been made effective from yesterday. Terming it as violation of supremacy of Parliament, he said, "A major decision that has been projected as a normal business decision has been issued bypassing Parliament and such a backdoor hike having huge implications violates the supremacy of Parliament. The more surprising is the timing of this notification which coincides with the results of the assembly polls in five States."

This is the fourth letter written by the Gujarat Chief Minister to PM in the last fortnight on various issues affecting Centre-States relations.

PTI