Kerala - Kozhikode   

Protest against hike in freight charges

By Our Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE, NOV. 28. The Calicut Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and the Malabar Chamber of Commerce (MCC) today criticised the unprecedented rise in railway freight charges on cement, coal and other items.

Memorandum to Lalu

In separate statements, the chambers opposed the rise in goods charge as one that would have grave economic repercussions. The MCC president, C.P. Kunhumohammed, in a memorandum to the Union Railway Minister, Lalu Prasad, said that the increase in freight rates would impose a burden on trade and business in Kerala.

The hike was unusual as it was imposed outside the railway budget. The freight increase comes at a time when the general public was already burdened with an increase in `tatkal' rate, parcel booking stipulations and regulations imposed on the weight of passengers' baggage, he said.

Adverse impact

The CCCI president, C.E. Chakunny, said that the hike in freight charges would have an adverse impact on Kerala which transported these items from outside the State.

It would also create a lull in the construction activities and related labour market.

Mr. Chakunny appealed to the Centre and the Railway Ministry to revert the decision at the earliest.

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