CPI-M lawmakers protest against Kerala being ignored in railway budget

New Delhi, Mar 20 (ANI): Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) lawmakers on Tuesday protested against the Congress led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for ignoring Kerala in the Union Railway Budget proposals for 2012-13 and pressed their demand for introduction of new trains in the state.

CPI-M lawmaker P. Karunakaran told media here on Tuesday that there is a demand for improved train services in Kerala.

"As far as, the state of Kerala is concerned, the new zone is very important specially in the bifurcation of the Palakkad division. We are demanding for the new zone and also the earlier government, especially the first UPA government had taken that issue seriously but the second UPA government in its budget, nothing is said about this new zone and also we are really neglected as far as the new trains are concerned," said Karunakaran.

The railway budget was presented by the former railway minister and Trinamool Congress leader Dinesh Trivedi on March 14, in which he announced the first increase in passenger fares in eight years, leading to severe opposition from his own party chief Mamata Banerjee.

Karunakaran also told reporters that the party has decided to move a cut motion, a veto power given to members of the Lok Sabha to oppose the demand of a Financial Bill discussed by the Government.

"So, we the MPs have given the cut-motion, fully withdraw the price hike. We are going to take this issue in the Parliament, in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha and also in the public. These are the main demands that have been demanding with the government," he said.

The lawmakers were seen holding placards demanding the roll back of passenger fare hike announced in the Railway Budget. (ANI)