Thursday, June 24, 2010

Commuters say hike not fair, rap govt

NEW Delhi: Already burdened by skyrocketing food prices with inflation continuing to defy gravity, Delhiites are now in for another shock. With Delhi government announcing an upward revision in the fare structure of autos and taxis on Tuesday, residents will see their transportation costs shoot up.

‘‘Our household budget will be hit. In the last few months, prices of diesel, cooking gas and milk have shot up. School fee too has increased. Now, hike in auto and taxi fare will make life difficult for us,’’ said Manmohan Mehra, secretary of Kiran Vihar RWA.

The transport department has fixed the fare at Rs 19 for the first two kilometres. For each subsequent kilometre, the fare will be Rs 6.50 as against Rs 4.50 earlier. Taxi fare will increase from Rs 15 to Rs 20 for the first kilometre and Rs 11 for every kilometre.

For salaried professionals, still recovering from salary cuts and reduced bonuses, the hike in commuting costs comes as a shocker. ‘‘It is irritating. While prices of every essential commodity is going through the roof, salaries of professionals in many sectors have remained constant. The common man is the worst hit,’’ said Neha, a social worker.

Commuters hold Delhi government responsible for the spiralling transportation costs in the capital. ‘‘I fail to understand Delhi government’s logic of increasing meter down charges by a whopping Rs 10. Why is the government succumbing to the pressure from auto unions?’’ asked Ritesh Dhawan, an angry daily commuter. 
 
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With thanks : source : Times of India

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