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Differential rail passenger fares mooted

Our Bureau

NEW DELHI, Feb. 21

SURYA Foundation, a Delhi-based think-tank, has suggested differential rail passenger fares for peak and slack seasons, a surcharge which could yield Rs 1,700 crore per annum to finance replacement of old assets and a five-per cent hike in freight tariff on non-sensitive commodities.

In a pre-Budget memorandum submitted to the Railway Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, the Surya Foundation has also called for deferment of dividend over the next three years to finance rail capacity augmentation.

The specific measures include a five-per cent hike in passenger tariffs during the peak season and a five-per cent cut in the slack season.

The foundation has also mooted a rehabilitation levy or a surcharge for the next five years at the rate of Rs 10 per tonne on freight traffic for distances up to 800 km and Rs 20 per tonne for distances beyond Rs 800 km to yield Rs 600 crore.

Similarly, an impost of Rs 2 per second-class ticket for journeys beyond 200 km, Rs 5 per ticket on sleeper class and Rs 10 per ticket for other classes could generate revenues to the tune of Rs 1,100 crore, according to the foundation.

It has also suggested a five-per cent hike in freight rates with provision for special rates on sensitive commodities such as steel, cement, POL, electrical goods and container traffic. A 10-per cent hike in parcel rates on Mail, Express and Rajdhani tra ins too, has been mooted.

The setting up of a Rail Tariff Commission, corporatisation of production units, introduction of commercial accounting systems and extending the volume discount scheme to bulk users figure in the list of recommendations.