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| December 24, 2009 | Protest against hike in helicopter fares for Lahaul-Spiti | | Kullu: People from Lahaul-Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh staged a mass protest demonstration against the state government for hiking the fares of helicopter flights to their areas in the hilly terrain. On December
19, the Himachal Pradesh government announced that it has raised the fares three
times for the helicopter flights to the high altitude areas of Lahaul, Spiti and
Pangi in Chamba region. As a mark of their protest, some of the irate demonstrators
had their heads tonsured. "To express my anger and objection to the state government
hiking the helicopter flight fares, I have got my head tonsured. But even after
this, if government doesn't take any steps to decrease the fares, we will call
for a meeting to decide our next step. We can show our violent side to demonstrate
against this price hike,' said Deepak, a resident. The fares had been raised to
rupees 2,100 per person for locals and government officials as against the earlier
tariff of rupees 700 per person. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal stated
that since the fuel prices have increased, the fares had to be enhanced but only
for those who can afford it and not for the poor. "Earlier, helicopters were mainly
used for emergency purposes. So if now these would be used for regular flights,
then necessarily with the fuel prices having increased, the passenger fares will
also have to be increased. Hence the fares were hiked. We have kept the rates
minimum for the patients and the poor people but those who can afford, will have
to pay for it," he added. Every year during winter season, Lahaul-Spiti region
remains cut off from the rest of the State since road links are blocked, often
lasting upto six months. Hence the central government had mooted scheduled helicopter
flights in Lahaul-Sipti and Chamba regions. Helicopter services to Lahaul-Spiti
region were started in 1970s. | |
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