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- Says poor and middle-class commuters will face severe hardship
SRINAGAR: People’s Democratic Front (PDF) President and former Cabinet Minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen on Saturday said the recent 18 per cent hike in transport fares has dashed the hopes of people who were expecting relief ahead of Eid, accusing the Omar Abdullah-led government of placing an additional burden on already struggling households.
In a statement issued here, Yaseen said instead of offering an “Eid gift” to the public, the government’s decision has added to the financial strain on poor and middle-class families. “People were hoping for some kind of Eid relief from the government, but unfortunately the decision to increase transport fares has further burdened the common man,” he said.
He said the hike would directly affect thousands of commuters who depend on public transport for their daily travel, particularly students, labourers and employees from economically weaker sections. “Mostly poor and middle-class people use buses and other public transport services. Increasing fares by 18 per cent will create serious difficulties for them,” Yaseen said.
The former minister urged the government to review the decision and take steps to protect the interests of ordinary citizens already facing economic challenges. He said that rising prices of essential commodities, electricity bills and other living costs have already put pressure on household budgets, and the transport fare hike will only worsen the situation for many families.
Yaseen also stressed the need for a comprehensive and balanced transport policy that safeguards both commuters and transport operators. While acknowledging the challenges faced by transporters due to rising operational costs, he said the government must ensure that the burden is not passed entirely onto the public.
“The government should adopt a balanced approach by providing subsidies or other forms of support to the transport sector instead of shifting the entire burden onto commuters,” he said.
He further said that public transport plays a crucial role in the daily lives of people across Jammu and Kashmir and any policy decisions affecting the sector must take into account the economic realities of common citizens. Yaseen appealed to the government to reconsider the fare hike and take immediate measures to provide relief to the people ahead of Eid.
