New Delhi: Taking on Lalu Prasad once again,
Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has scaled down the facility
given by her predecssor Lalu Prasad of complimentary passes to
former railway ministers for air conditioned classes in trains
with three companions and an attendant.
As per the decision taken by Banerjee, an ex-railway
minister can avail only two AC First Class lifetime
complimentary passes and not five, including an attendant, as
decided by Lalu during his last days in office.
A former railway minister is though entitled to have
two lifetime complimentary AC 1 passes - one for himself and
another for companion, Lalu had increased the number to five
before demitting the office in May. This means that besides
the ex-minister, three companions can travel free with him in
AC 1st class and one attendant in AC II.
As per Lalu's decision on May 19, the added facility
was extended to all former railway ministers.
Objecting to Lalu's decision, former railway minister
Ram Naik had written to Mamata terming it "wrong and
unjustified".
Mamata had said on June 12, 2009, that she completely
agreed with Naik's view.
According to a senior Railway Ministry official, the
ministry has withdrawn the order of the former railway
minister Lalu Prasad pertaining to lifetime complimentary pass
and restored the earlier order.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 21:27