New Delhi: Amid an uproar over the Women's
Reservation Bill, Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Railways demand
for grants and appropriation bills for 2010-11 without any
discussion.
As members of SP and RJD raised slogans against the
women's bill, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee moved that the
demands and appropriation bills be passed.
The measures meant for the first three months of 2010-11
were then adopted by a voice vote.
As the din continued, Banerjee laid her speech on the
table following suggestions from senior BJD member Arjun
Charan Sethi, who was in the chair.
The Railways has sought an additional Rs 5,268 crore as
demand for grants for the current fiscal. The demands relate
to expenditure under 11 heads which include repairs and
maintenance, fuel and payment towards salary and pension.
In the Rail Budget presented on February 24, the plan
size for 2010-11 exceeded Rs 41,000 crore. In the Union
Budget, Rs 16,000 crore was earmarked for the Railways which
is to generate the remaining funds from internal resources and
market borrowing.
After the demands for grants were passed, the House was
adjourned for the day.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, March 09, 2010, 20:48