Date:27/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/27/stories/2007042706751300.htm

National

Railway Budget approved

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha on Thursday approved the Railway Budget for 2007-08, as it passed without discussion the Appropriation Bill that authorises payment of over Rs. 1,30,000 crore to the Railways for meeting expenditure. The demands for grants for the financial year were also passed by a voice vote after Railway Minister Lalu Prasad moved the motion for passing the Bill and the demands.

Earlier, Deputy Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal said it had been decided among all major parties that no discussion would be held due to paucity of time. Prolonged discussions had already been held, he said.

According to the Bill, the Railways has a total allocation of Rs. 1,30,798 crore. This includes operating expenses of Rs. 22,733 crore on rolling stock.