CPI(M) wants govt to restore diesel subsidy for bulk consumers

New Delhi: CPI(M) has asked the government to restore the subsidy on diesel to bulk customers like state transport undertakings and railways in public interest, terming as "retrograde" the decision to charge market rate on the item.

"I urge you to reconsider the decision. You are requested to restore the subsidy on diesel to bulk consumers like the State Transport Undertakings which will be in public interest," party general secretary Prakash Karat said in a recent letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. New Delhi: CPI(M) has asked the government to restore the subsidy on diesel to bulk customers like state transport undertakings and railways in public interest, terming as "retrograde" the decision to charge market rate on the item. "I urge you to reconsider the decision. You are requested to restore the subsidy on diesel to bulk consumers like the State Transport Undertakings which will be in public interest," party general secretary Prakash Karat said in a recent letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. This withdrawal of subsidy for the supply of diesel to bulk consumers would "cripple the public transportation system at a time when the necessity is for strengthening the public transportation system." The CPI(M) leader said the sharp increase in private vehicles and traffic was causing rising pollution and a major environmental problem and the only way out was to restrict the expansion of private vehicle and strengthen public transport. "Instead of doing that, the government`s retrograde decision is a serious blow to public transport and will lead to further privatisation of transport services," Karat said. PTI