Lokesh decries ‘false claims’ on RTC hike

-Two fold increase in ‘palle velugu’ charges
-Officials imitating Jagan’s misleading campaigns
-CM passing on merger burdens to people

AMARAVATI: TDP national general secretary Nara Lokesh on Thursday accused the YSRCP Government of misleading the people on the latest hike on RTC charges.
Lokesh said the officials made statements yesterday saying the hike would be very low. But today’s figures showed that there was a steep hike in the RTC charges, placing an unbearable burden on the common public.

In a statement here, Lokesh said the charges for ‘palle velugu’ buses have been increased two times. The charge for 5 kms was increased from Rs 5 to Rs 10. Above 5 kms, the charges were increased by 10 paise per km. This caused a hike in charges ranging from Rs. 5 to Rs. 15.

Nara Lokesh deplored that the officials were also following in the footsteps of Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy in making false statements to the people. Ever since it came to power, the YSRCP Government was squeezing the blood of the people by raising taxes and charges without any concern for their well-being.

The TDP MLC said in services other than ‘palle velugu’, the RTC charges have been raised by a minimum of Rs. 30 to a maximum of Rs. 120. The Government broke the back of the people by slapping limitless charges for passes and in AC buses.

Lokesh said a pitiable situation was created in AP now that the people would consider it a luxury or luck to travel in the RTC bus. Already, the increased fuel charges made it difficult for the poor and middle class people to continue their individual transportation.

Nara Lokesh criticised CM Jagan Reddy for merging the RTC by raising false expectations. Now, the CM threw up his hands in helplessness and started placing all the burdens on the common public. The Government should roll back the hike in the RTC charges considering the financial burdens that the people were already facing in the past three years.

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