Modi govt has burdened people with rail fair hike: Karat

CPM National General Secretary Prakash Karat today said the Narendra Modi government has failed to contain inflation and some of its recent decisions have rather burdened the common man.

"Already the government has put burden on common man by increasing the rail fares and we also expect a rise in diesel and LPG prices. The government has failed to contain inflation, particularly the prices of essential commodities," Karat told mediapersons here.

Reduction of taxes and duties on petroleum products could lessen the burden of the people, he suggested.

Karat said he feared that the NDA government may cut short funds for the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), the previous UPA government's flagship programme.

Referring to the recent remarks made by Trinamool Congress leader Tapas Pal for allegedly threatening to kill CPI-M workers and having their women raped, Karat regretted the West Bengal police's failure to take action against those who indulge in violence and those who instigate it.

"The Left parties' followers and supporters are under attack by the Trinamool leaders," he alleged.

He demanded that the West Bengal government should register criminal cases against Pal.

He expressed concern over WB Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee not taking any action against Pal after he apologised for his comments.

"The issue would be raised by CPM in the Parliament," he said.

The Left leader also said that the Modi government should take a firm stand on the reported snooping of the BJP by US National Security Agency (NSA).

"The US actions are an onslaught on our national interest and Modi government should seek an assurance that such things would not be repeated," he said.