Siddaramaiah demands immediate roll back of hike in railway fares
Bengaluru (PTI): Slamming the BJP-led government at the Centre for the railway fare hike, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has demanded its immediate rollback.
The railway ministry issued an official circular on Monday, increasing the fares of the non-air-conditioned class in mail and express trains by 1 paisa and all air-conditioned classes by 2 paise per kilometre from July 1.
"Railway fares hiked!! Who bears the brunt? The daily wage workers, students, small traders, and the common man struggling under rising prices," Siddaramaiah posted on 'X' on Tuesday.
He said, "When we increased milk prices to help our farmers, Karnataka BJP shouted in the streets, and called it anti-people. But now, when the BJP led Union Govt hikes railway fares, there is deafening silence. Why? Because this hike doesn't help farmers or the poor, it only helps BJP Government fill its own coffers."
Noting that when metro fares were hiked in Karnataka after 8 years, BJP leaders rushed to blame the Congress government, ignoring the fact that the fare hike decision was taken by a fare fixation committee constituted by the Union Government itself, he said. Back then, the Centre "manipulated" the narrative to place the burden on the state government, Siddaramaiah added.
"Now, with this railway fare hike, who will they place the burden on?" he asked.
"Your (BJP) 'Vikas Express' seems to run only on the sweat and tears of the poor, while your leaders enjoy power by trampling on democracy. The double standards are clear," he claimed, adding that the BJP's concern for the common man vanishes when it is about its own revenue.
Stating that the Congress stands with the people of Karnataka and the country who are forced to pay more for essential travel, Siddaramaiah said this fare hike must be rolled back immediately.
"Don't make people's daily travel another jumla. Let the trains run, not the people's patience," he added.
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Worker’s body reaches Ranchi from Saudi 4 months after death; family rejects over compensation
Ranchi (PTI): The body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district killed in Saudi Arabia in October last year has arrived at Ranchi Airport, but his family refused to accept it over pending compensation, officials said.
Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control cell, told PTI that, before taking the body of Vijay Kumar Mahato, the family is demanding compensation from the private company where he used to work in the Arab country.
Mahato was killed in an alleged crossfire between the police and criminals.
“Since it was a bullet injury case, the matter is before a court in Jeddah. The final compensation may depend on the court’s decision,” Lakra said.
“The Indian Embassy informed us about the body’s arrival, and coordination was done with district authorities. Our role is limited to coordination in cases involving overseas employers and foreign jurisdiction,” she added.
Giridih Deputy Commissioner Ram Niwas Yadav said the authorities will try to convince the family to perform the last rites.
“We have already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the government scheme for migrant’s deaths abroad. The compensation payment might take some time,” he said.
The body is currently at the mortuary of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
The Family members said they will only accept it if the company provides written assurance regarding compensation. “Without that assurance, we will not receive the body,” said Ram Prasad Mahato, the deceased’s brother-in-law.
Mahato, a native of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, was employed as a tower line fitter. His family said he was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between local police and an extortion gang and later succumbed to his injuries.
Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.
