Thiruvananthapuram, Monday, October 17, 2011: CPM led LDF opposition on Monday staged a walkout in the Assembly protesting against Speaker G Karthikeyan’s refusal to entertain an adjournment motion in connection with the increase in railway freight charges.

The adjournment motion was moved by Elamaram Kareem and Mullakkara Ratnakaran. The opposition opined that the 6 percent hike in railway freight charges led to the considerable increase in price of food commodities.

Replying to the notice for the adjournment motion, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the government would convey its concern to the Centre over the matter since Kerala was a consumer state which depends on other parts of the country for foodgrains and essential goods.

Chandy said in the case of foodgrains transportation, the additional burden would be borne by Food Corporation of India while most other essential goods and vegetables have been brought to the state by road.

The Opposition, however, insisted that the government bring in a resolution to express the entire House’s concern and protest against the Railway’s decision.As Deputy Speaker N Sakthan declined to comply with their demand for adjournment motion, LDF members stage a walkout.

Before leading his colleagues out, CPI-M leader E P Jayaranan said there was no justification on the part of the Railways to hike tariff rates as a non-budgetary measure.

(News agency)