By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee today presented her ministry’s budget for the current fiscal while urging economists to replace their mindset of economic viability of the railways with social viability and upliftment.
In her first populist budget in the UPA government she increased neither passenger fare nor freight charges.
“People all over the country have high expectations from the railway budget,” Banerjee told the Lok Sabha, while presenting the budget.
She has promised that special recruitment drive will be launched by the railways for the physically challenged and minorities.
“It is proposed to develop a scheme to give better representation to minorities, women and economically back ward classes of the society in railway recruitments,” she said in her budget speech.
She has also announced extension of student concession to madrasa students.
“Students are our pride. The free monthly season tickets for second class travel between school and home for girl students up to graduation and for boy students up to 12th standard will be extended to students attending Madrasa, High Madrasa and senior Madrasa. I am happy to announce extension of concessional monthly season tickets available for students attending school up to Class XII, Madrasa, High Madrasa and senior Madrasa for travel in Metro rail, Kolkata. This would imply concession of 60% for students on the metro fare.”
Some highlights of the rail budget:
– Tatkal scheme to be reduced from 5 days to 2 days
– No increase in passenger fares across classes
– Rs.25 pass for unorganised sector employees of income below Rs.1,500 up to 100 km
– New “Yuva” fully air-conditioned train for youth
– Yuva fares Rs.299 up to a distance of 1,500 km and Rs.399 up to 2,500 km
– Student concession to be extended to madrasa students
– Student concession of 60 per cent on Kolkata Metro
– Railways will not be guided by economic viability, but by social commitment
– 50 world class stations to be developed on public-private partnership model
– 309 out of 375 stations will be developed with modern facilities
– 50 stations at tourist, religious places to have integrated facilities
– Unreserved ticketing systems to be expanded from 5,000 to 8,000 terminals
– Passengers can buy unreserved tickets at 5,000 post offices
– SMS updates for wait-listed passengers
– Discount for press correspondents increased from 30 to 50 per cent
– Discount of 60 per cent on fare if press correspondents travel with spouse