Bansal Keeps It Simple, Politics Find Vacuum For Hollow Prospects

New Delhi: When Pawan Kumar Bansal presented the Railway Budget 2013, he has spotted the real crisis but the Budget was plagued by the dilemma of limited resources and limitless ambitions. The focal point of the Budget went on expected lines with the Rail Minister refusing to hike the passenger fares however Bansal announced a marginal increase in freight charges, supplementary charge, superfast charge, reservation charge, cancellation charge and Tatkal charge. Highlighting the need to resurrect the financial capability of the most viable mode of public transit, Bansal said that the gigantic network must be in a better financial health for the benefit of the passengers and to ensure that the modernization projects are on track. The rail network needs to be expanded at a faster rate. The freight and passenger fares have to be based on economic realities. The growth of railways is linked to the growth of country, he said. According to the Rail Minister, the estimated losses of the Railways stood at Rs24, 000 crore in 2012-13. Bansal also announced the introduction of 27 new passenger trains and 67 Express trains, while adding that 58 trains will be extended. According to him, new coach manufacturing and maintenance facilities will come up in various places including Rae Bareli, Bhilwara, Sonepat, Kalahandi, Kolar, Palakkad and Pratapgarh. Furthermore Indian Railways will see a planned investment of Rs63, 363 crore for 2013-14, including Rs600 crore from PPP route. He further proudly elucidated that the Indian Railways is set to enter 1 billion ton freight club of China, Russia and US. The emphasis of the Railway Minister on financial viability and fiscal discipline of the Railways is most reassuring and a welcome direction. Financial discipline, safety and passenger amenities are inherent to the health and condition of this mode of transport, which is availed by the common man and the Minister has paid due attention to each, said Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII. However, the opposition has slammed the Budget as one designed for the Congress party in an election year. The freight hike will add to inflationary trends Its a populist election budget which has addressed the Congress concerns not large regional issues and aspirations, expressed BJP leader Yashwant Sinha. While Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav called it the worst and the most anti-people budget in many years. But Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P Chidambaram praised Bansal for the Budget. The Railways Minister has done a commendable job in meeting competing demands of improving services and controlling expenditure, the Prime Ministers Office tweeted. The Railway Minister has presented a very responsible, practical and implementable budget, Chidambaram told reporters outside Parliament. EPC News Bureau