Indian Rail : Whose Baby it is ?
RECENT events have made me think : what is the need for a separate rail budget? All Ministers of Railway, in recent years, have presented a budget without any increase in fares. Mr. Lalu Prasad showed a surplus never seen before, yet no additional facilities were provided to passengers, nor the quality of services improved; even some steps were taken to put passenger under duress, like putting an additional seat as side middle. What Mr. Lalu did, perhaps, was the most unethical thing.
ALL of us get depreciation for the conveyance we have. Similarly, all government departments keep a wear & tear account which is used for replacements/contingencies or for addition/value addition. Laluji, most likely used all that fund to show railway in profit. Obviously, railway was left with no money to renovate or add to the services. Mamta continued on the same line.
AS A hind sight, it seems that there was a deliberate attempt to suck the blood out of the railway to have an excuse to introduce private partners into this field. Air India was brought to the sorry state, in which it is, to promote private business. The argument seems logical because, despite knowing the condition of railways, Finance Minister refused to lend a helping hand. Why?
THE more pertinent question is : What is the need for a separate railway budget? Separate railway budget was introduced in 1924 or so when railway budget accounted for about 80% of the total budget. Besides, colonial government had its own interests. Now when the railway belongs to the central government, if the railway is not allowed to increase the fares, who is going to support it for its survival?
FOR the first time in the history, trade unions have come to support the hike in fares because they have sensed the future of Indian Railway that is their bread and butter. Mr. Dinesh Trivedi must be congratulated for the bold initiative. But he already had the incling that this may be his only budget and he took a step to secure his political future.
ALL of us get depreciation for the conveyance we have. Similarly, all government departments keep a wear & tear account which is used for replacements/contingencies or for addition/value addition. Laluji, most likely used all that fund to show railway in profit. Obviously, railway was left with no money to renovate or add to the services. Mamta continued on the same line.
AS A hind sight, it seems that there was a deliberate attempt to suck the blood out of the railway to have an excuse to introduce private partners into this field. Air India was brought to the sorry state, in which it is, to promote private business. The argument seems logical because, despite knowing the condition of railways, Finance Minister refused to lend a helping hand. Why?
THE more pertinent question is : What is the need for a separate railway budget? Separate railway budget was introduced in 1924 or so when railway budget accounted for about 80% of the total budget. Besides, colonial government had its own interests. Now when the railway belongs to the central government, if the railway is not allowed to increase the fares, who is going to support it for its survival?
FOR the first time in the history, trade unions have come to support the hike in fares because they have sensed the future of Indian Railway that is their bread and butter. Mr. Dinesh Trivedi must be congratulated for the bold initiative. But he already had the incling that this may be his only budget and he took a step to secure his political future.
We should start inculcating into us the idea that, for those who can pay for the services, no more these services will be given for free or for subsidy , at the cost of the national exchequer. The increase in the railway fare should be taken in this frame, to pay for better quality service. It will also ensure a improved running of the expenses of the railways. This also ensures that, Railways is just another 'service' , and the need for a separate budget no longer exists.
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