Southern Sangharsh Sandesh Jatha leader and CPI(M) Polit Bureau member S Ramachandran Pillai attacked the Railway Budget as being anti-people and an exercise in deceit.
Addressing a media conference in Ernakulam today, he charged the central government of making farcical claim that there was no increase in passenger fares. The fares were hiked just recently. And now with fares linked to fuel prices through the new Fuel Adjustment Component, the fares will be dynamic and change according to increases in fuel prices. Moreover, the freight charges and online reservation charges have been increased substantially he said. He condemned the moves to privatize railways and corporatise it through the PPP model.
Pillai explained the Jatha programme, its objectives and the main demands on which CPI(M) will unite the masses. He said the Party will take the message of struggle to the people across the country and unite the broadest possible sections to ensure that pro-people alternative policies are implemented and a progressive Left political alternative is strengthened.
He attacked the corrupt practices of the ruling classes and said Congress and BJP were two sides of the same coin on this matter. Calling upon the government to end huge concessions to corporates, he said channelising those funds to social security measures would be enough for ensuring food security, health facilities and housing for all.
He attacked the RBI Governor’s announcement that realtors and brokers are allowed to start banks and seen in the context of the global financial crisis and collapse of financial corporations, such a move could have dangerous portents for India.
Along with other members of the Jatha, Pinarayi Vijayan, Polit Bureau member and state secretary of the party, district secretary of the party, Govindan Master and Ex-MP Chandran Pillai present.