BJP, Congress demand rollback in hike of bus fares in Punjab

JALANDHAR (PUNJAB): Amid reports of a hike in bus fares across the state, BJP and the Congress today demanded rollback of the increased cost even as they termed the Punjab government's decision as an "anti-people" move.

BJP, the ally of ruling SAD, said earlier bus fares were increased with hike in diesel prices but here the state government is doing just the opposite and demanded clarification on the issue.

"The government should clarify why the bus fares were hiked when diesel prices have been slashed throughout the country," said BJP leader Laxmikanta Chawla.

Reportedly, the Shiromani Akali Dal-led Punjab government has raised the state transport bus fares by 20 per cent, effective from yesterday, the same day when the Centre slashed diesel prices by Rs 1.21 per litre across the country.

Opposition Congress said government is imposing the burden of their over-expenditure on common man.

"Punjab government has failed to control its expenditures and is now putting pressure on poor and middle class people and this 20 per cent hike in bus fares is an anti-people move," Congress General Secretary Satnam Singh Kanth said.

Earlier also, when fuel prices were cut, the state government imposed additional burden of VAT, the Congress leader charged.

The state government should immediately roll back the hike decision, the partied demanded.