Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Railway budget

This refers to the editorial “Well done, Railways” (Feb. 27). Railway Minister Lalu Prasad has announced various sops for passengers, including freebies for students and concession for senior citizens. But all this seems to have been done with an eye on the 2009 elections. A seven per cent cut in AC-I class fares, four per cent in AC-II class and five per cent in second class fares is discriminatory. This should have been in the reverse order.

Nothing has been said about the steps taken to control the practice of passengers from unreserved compartments entering the reserved ones during day time. There is no mention of improving the catering services. But when all is said, the Railways have surely shared the profits with the customers and passengers.

S. Rajan,

Chennai

I wish to congratulate Mr. Prasad on his ability to feel the pulse of the common man. It is a matter of great surprise that he has extended benefits and concessions to passengers at a time when the fuel prices are on the increase. But while extending concessions to senior citizens, he has been partial. He has given 50 per cent concession on travel to women alone. One hopes his rustic wisdom and down to earth approach will make him set right the imbalance.

G. Gopala Krishna,

Hyderabad

Mr. Prasad has ventured to travel the path less travelled, and not taken, by the earlier occupants of the Rail Bhavan. His budget speaks volumes about his deft handling of affairs in the last four years.

But the please-all budget, which might have served to boost the sagging morale of the UPA government, may not impress the allies because of the covert attempts to privatise and outsource certain operations.

J. Jayashankar,

Mayiladuthurai

The Railways’ move of reducing the fares, announcing free passes for students and various other concessions is welcome. But unless the frequency of services is increased in all sections, no purpose will be served by the concessions. The Railways should increase the frequency of trains, particularly suburban, in order to enable the people to reap the benefits of the concessions announced in the budget.

K. Srinivasa Murthy,

Chennai

The Railway budget is far from being a basket of comforts. Apart from the reduction in passenger fares, it has done nothing to increase safety and reduce traffic congestion that often makes the people wait for hours.

Barun Kumar Mahapatro,

Berhampur

The budget is progressive and good for the aam admi as well as the economy. The reduction in fares and concessions makes it a common man’s budget. As for the economy, it is getting maximum support from the nation’s largest government enterprise. Mr. Prasad deserves credit for adding a new shining chapter to the history of the Railways.

Pranav Kumar,

New Delhi

Even after discounting Mr. Prasad’s promises and claims, one cannot refute the fact that the Railways, over the years, have been improving their performance. A lot of amenities were unthinkable even two decades ago. Mr. Prasad has certainly given the organisation an additional meaning and sense of commitment. Operationally, the Indian Railways is one of the top organisations in the country.

M. Balakrishnan,

Hyderabad

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