HYDERABAD : Effigies representing the Government and the APSRTC management were burnt at several places in the State capital and in districts as several political parties and trade unions registered their protest against the bus fare hike.

Members of the Telugu Desam Party, led by Rajya Sabha member Alladi Rajkumar and city president G. Sayanna, staged a protest for over 30 minutes in front of the entrance, Bus Bhavan, APSRTC headquarters, and burnt an effigy on the road.

Leaders and members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), including MP P. Madhu, State executive member Y. Venkateswarlu and city secretary T.S.N. Madhu staged a `rasta roko' at the busy RTC crossroads at the end of which they burnt an effigy too.

DYFI burns effigy

At Narayanaguda circle, members of the Democratic Youth Federation of India, led by State secretary T. Sagar burnt an effigy.

Leaders and members of the CPI's city unit, including its general secretary Rama Narasimha Rao and those of the party's women's wing, including State general secretary Prem Pavani, staged a sit-in outside the main entrance of Bus Bhavan. Holding aloft placards and displaying banners, they raised slogans denouncing the Government's decision.

BJP State general secretary K. Laxman alleged the hike was effected to benefit private operators. He faulted the Government for giving a "blank cheque" to APSRTC management to increase the rates whenever it desired. The Government was not keen on protecting the corporation and wanted to privatise it gradually, he added.

Each one of the agitating organisations demanded rollback saying that poor people, especially in the rural areas, could not bear the burden of the fare hike which would be around Rs. 200 crores.

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