CPI-M seeks govt intervention in resolving transport strike

A CPI-M member today raised the issue of the nationwide transporters' strike in Rajya Sabha and sought the government's intervention to resolve it.
Raising the matter during Zero Hour, Tapan Kumar Sen (CPI-M) said the entire transport system in the country has been affected due to the transporters' strike and government needs to intervene.
He said the strike has been forced due to the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill brought by the government, which he termed as "draconian" its "very harsh" provisions.
"This is a draconian bill and infringes upon the rights of people working in the transport sector. Public transport system in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh,Maharashtra and other states have joined the strike.

"I urge the government to intervene. It is a peaceful strike but their democratic rights are sought to be attacked and trampled with. It is a murderous attack on the rights of the people," he said.
As the member attacked the West Bengal government on the issue, Trinamool Congress members objected to it, saying any reference against the state government should be deleted.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said if there are any allegations against the state government he will expunge them.
Raising another matter, Viplove Thakur (Cong) said the tariff for air services in Himachal Pradesh were exorbitantly high due to lack of refuelling facilities in the state and tourists were shying away from travelling there.

She said as fares ranged from Rs 11,000 to Rs 16,000 for air travel to Himachal Pradesh, tourists preferred to visit Singapore and Bangkok than the state.
"Airlines say that the high fares are due to lack of refuelling services in the state and they have to keep some seats vacant. While air services to the Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir are subsidised, it is not so for Himachal Pradesh.
"There is no broadguage rail service in the state either. Refuelling services should be provided (at the airports there) to help common people travel by air," she said, adding the three airports in the state were at Shimla, Bhuntar and Gaggal.