Kerala assembly to discuss rail price hike`s `negative impact`

Thiruvananthapuram: Both the treasury benches and the Left opposition in the Kerala assembly Monday agreed that the recent hike in rail passenger and freight charges announced by the Narendra Modi government last week will have a "negative impact" on the state. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told the house that he has no qualms in initiating a discussion on the impact on the state of the increased rail charges.

The move came after former minister and senior CPI-M legislator ELamaram Karim sought leave for an adjournment motion to discuss the issue. Minister for Civil Supplies Anup Jacob said that since Kerala ia primarily a consumer state with just 15 percent of its needs being met by the state, the increased rail charges will affect the state, including its public distribution system. "I will write to the prime minister in detail on the negative impact of the hike that Kerala will be burdened with," Chandy said. "... the end result of the hike would be a massive burden on our state and prices will peak," he said. "Also, it`s unfortunate that even the season ticket holders will be badly affected as their charges will double. These are basically used by the ordinary people. So, in effect it`s a double blow for the common man," added Chandy. Chandy said that he is prepared to discuss the issue with all concerned and a time can be fixed for discussing it in the assembly. Speaker G. Karthikeyan said since the chief minister has agreed to discuss the issue, a time for this will be announced.