Date:27/02/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/02/27/stories/2005022701330500.htm

Back Nothing to help passengers, railway network: BJP

Our Bureau

New Delhi , Feb. 26

THE Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party today criticised the Railway Budget by saying that it does not do anything for improving the situation of the common passenger and the functioning of the railway network.

Talking to reporters after the Budget presentation, the BJP leader, Ms Sushma Swaraj , said: "It was expected that Lalu Prasad will do something for ushering in major changes for the welfare of passengers and improve the working of the rail network. But, nothing has been done."

The BJP President, Mr L.K. Advani, later in the day stated that though the party had walked out of the Rail Budget presentation, it will participate during the Rail Budget discussions.

However, the Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), which supports the Government from outside, today broadly welcomed the Railway Budget, primarily on grounds that there is no hike in passenger fares and freight rates have remained unchanged for many items.

The Congress also welcomed the Budget saying that it shows concern for the common man.

The Congress spokesman, Mr Anand Sharma, said, " The Budget reflects concern about things that affect the common man by not hiking fares. Also, creating of food courts will lead to higher revenues and generate employment. It also proposes to put to commercial use unused lands of the Railways."