Udupi: Karkala MLA V. Sunil Kumar has criticised the Congress-led Karnataka government over the reported 23% to 35% increase in bus fares, accusing it of placing an additional financial burden on the public following a recent hike in milk prices.
In a social media post, the BJP MLA described the Congress administration as a “robbery government” rather than a “guarantee government”, referring to the party’s promise of guarantee schemes ahead of the Assembly elections.
Sunil Kumar pointed out that the bus fare increase came within a week of the state government’s decision to raise milk prices by Rs 8 per litre. He questioned the timing of the two increases and said the public was being burdened by successive price hikes.
MLA questions government’s stand on fuel prices
The Karkala legislator also criticised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s reported response that bus fares in Karnataka could be reduced only if the Central government lowered fuel prices.
Describing the response as flippant, Sunil Kumar questioned whether the state government could avoid responsibility for rising prices by repeatedly referring to the Centre.
He asked why the state government was not taking responsibility for the impact of the fare revision on commuters and ordinary households.
The MLA’s remarks came amid public and political debate over the proposed increase in public transport fares. Bus services are an important mode of daily travel for students, employees, workers and other commuters across Karnataka.
‘Is this the achievement of the Congress government?’
Taking aim at the Congress government’s guarantee schemes, Sunil Kumar said the administration had come to power promising benefits to people but was now increasing the cost of essential goods and public transport.
He alleged that the government was effectively taking money from people’s pockets through higher milk prices and bus fares.
“Is this the achievement of the Congress government?” he asked in his post.
Sunil Kumar said the burden of price increases should not be passed on to the public. He also warned that people would respond to what he described as the government’s anti-people policies.
Political debate over rising household expenses
The BJP MLA’s criticism adds to the political debate over the impact of price revisions on household budgets in Karnataka. The recent milk price increase and the reported bus fare hike have provided the Opposition with fresh grounds to question the Congress government’s handling of public expenditure and essential services.
The Congress government has defended its guarantee programmes as measures intended to provide financial support to eligible households. However, the Opposition has questioned the impact of other price increases on the benefits received by the public.
Sunil Kumar’s comments reflect the BJP’s criticism of the government’s pricing decisions, particularly the timing of the milk and bus fare increases. His remarks have also brought attention to the debate over the respective responsibilities of the state and Central governments in determining transport costs.