Hyderabad: CPI Central Executive Committee member K. Narayana criticised the fuel price hike and dynamic pricing system in railways and airlines, calling them anti-people policies.
Addressing the media on Friday, Narayana alleged that continuous increases in fuel prices were placing a heavy burden on common citizens.
He said global oil price instability had worsened because of war-driven international policies and rising geopolitical tensions.
According to the CPI leader, imperialist forces were encouraging conflicts that directly pushed up crude oil prices.
Fuel price hike increasing burden on public
Narayana alleged that both the Central and State governments were worsening public hardship through cess, taxes and additional levies on petroleum products.
He said the increase in fuel prices raised transportation costs, railway fares, flight ticket prices and charges for goods transport.
The CPI leader also said essential commodity prices were increasing because of higher fuel costs.
Meanwhile, Narayana criticised the dynamic pricing system followed by railways and airlines.
He alleged that authorities were increasing ticket fares automatically based on demand and booking patterns.
According to him, the system severely affected middle-class and poor passengers.
He cited reports of railway ticket fares from Hyderabad to Tirupati increasing to nearly Rs 8,000 despite normally costing only a few hundred rupees.
Calling the system organised looting in the name of market pricing, Narayana demanded immediate review of fuel taxation policies.
He also demanded that the Central Government abolish dynamic fare systems in public transport services.
Narayana said railway services should function for public welfare rather than profit-making.