Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India]: Residents of Shimla, along with members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), gathered outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Tuesday to protest the recent hike in the minimum bus fare, which has been increased from Rs 5 to Rs 10 by the Himachal Pradesh government.
Organized under the CPIM banner, the protest drew participation from daily commuters, laborers, and local citizens who argued that the fare hike would disproportionately burden the working class and economically weaker sections.
Addressing the media during the protest, CPIM Himachal Pradesh State General Secretary Jagat Ram sharply criticized the state government’s decision.
“The Himachal Pradesh government has been continuously burdening the poor and working classes ever since it came to power. The doubling of the minimum bus fare is a brutal blow to the common man. It is absolutely unbearable,” he said.
Ram warned that if the fare hike is not withdrawn, the CPIM would escalate its agitation.
“If the state government does not withdraw this decision, CPIM will launch a much stronger and more widespread protest in the near future,” he added.
Protesters claimed that Himachal Pradesh now has the highest bus fare in the country at Rs 2.19 per kilometer, while most other states charge around Rs 1.40 or less. They alleged that the fare hike was introduced to favor private transport operators.
Further criticism was directed at the state cabinet’s recent approval of 1,000 new bus routes, which CPIM claims are being handed over to private entities.
“This is all being done to promote private contractors. The government is stripping public services and transferring them into private hands — from transport to water supply to garbage collection,” said Jagat Ram.
He also pointed out that the cost of living has risen significantly, not only because of transport fare hikes but also due to increases in essential utility charges. As of April 1, water and garbage collection bills have been increased by 10 percent. Additionally, the state government is reportedly planning to privatize water supply to housing societies and to start charging Rs 10 for previously free medical registration slips at public hospitals.
Drawing a historical comparison, Ram warned the government about the potential political consequences of such policies.
“I want to remind the current government, when Shanta Kumar increased the hospital slip charges from 25 paise to Rs 1, the people ousted him. The same fate awaits this government,” he warned.
The protest also touched upon central government policies. CPIM leaders condemned recent increases in fuel prices — Rs 2 for petrol and diesel and Rs 10 for LPG cylinders — despite international crude oil prices being at a four-year low.
“Prices of petrol and diesel should have come down, not gone up. These price hikes will directly impact the poor,” Ram said, calling for immediate rollbacks.
He concluded by reaffirming the party’s resolve to resist policies that he said target the poor and favor privatization.
“We will continue to raise the voice of the people. If our demands are not met, this movement will only grow stronger,” Jagat Ram declared.