Trinamool Congress opposes fuel price hike

Trinamool Congress, ruling UPA's major ally, today asked the government to keep the decision to hike petro-product prices in abeyance, saying it would not be proper to impose "greater burden" on the people, who are already suffering from a high rate of inflation.

"We would prefer that in this crucial juncture, this decision be kept on hold," party's Chief Whip in Lok Sabha Sudip Bandopadhyay said here.
    
He said TC was "in principle opposed to any proposal to raise the the prices of petroleum products at this time when the prices are already high. Common people should not be allowed to suffer any further".
    
Bandopadhyay also opposed the budget decision to raise Rs 6,000 crore through service tax from the Railways, headed by party chief Mamata Banerjee.

"It will become difficult for the Railways to operate this largest transport system of the world," he said, adding that he had expected "more financial assistance" from the general budget to the Railways.
    
He said the Rail Budget had "enhanced the prestige and acceptance of the UPA government across the country".