Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi, Feb 13: Union Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav presented a people friendly Budget on Friday. Following are the prime reactions from the leaders of political and business arena on the last Railway Budget:
‘Developmental’ Budget: Congress
Hailing the Railway Budget as "developmental" and "pro-people" Congress spokesperson Shakeel Ahmad said that it is one of the rarest scenarios where the fares have been cut continuously for five years.
Congress spokesperson while welcoming the Budget added the credit goes to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
Just a poll plank: BJP
The opposition BJP criticised the Railway Budget calling it ‘unrealistic.’ The party also alleged that it was ostensibly prepared keeping in mind the forthcoming general elections.
"It (Rail Budget) is far from ground realities and close to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections reality," BJP spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told a news agency.
Interim rail budget an eyewash: Mamata
Former railway minister and Mamata Banerjee today described the interim rail budget for 2009-10 as 'election-oriented' and an eyewash to secure votes.
"It is a visionless budget and the mission is to get votes," Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress chief said.
CPI-M charges Govt with "backdoor" fare hike
The CPI(M) today charged the Railway Ministry with increasing passenger fares and freight charges through the "backdoor" while "playing to the gallery" in an election year by announcing a reduction in fares for second class and AC travel.
"One month before the budget in January, the freight rates for agricultural commodities, iron ore and steel were increased substantially. This has not been reflected in the budget," senior CPI(M) leader Basudeb Acharia said here.
Reddy welcomes interim Railway budget
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy welcomed the interim budget presented by the Railway Minister Lal Prasad Yadav today in Parliament.
He said it is a record achievement that the Railways earned a surplus of Rs 90,000 crores in five years. Out of this Rs 70,000 crores was invested back in Railways, he added.
He said it was creditable that the average freight growth increased from three to eight percent in five years.
Rail budget short of Maharashtra's expectations: CM
The interim Railway budget presented today was "not wholly up to the expectations of
Maharashtra", Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said.
"The state has not got as much as was expected. But this is an interim budget and we are sure that Maharashtra will be benefitted after a full budget is presented," he said in a statement here.
"I will make efforts to ensure that the state gets full benefit in the railway budget," he said.
Karnataka got injustice in Railway budget: Yeddyurappa
The Interim Railway budget presented by Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav in the
Parliament today has done "a great injustice" to Karnataka, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa alleged today.
"Despite repeated requests from the state, the Railway Minister has not considered any of the projects proposed by Karnataka and also its plea for introduction some new trains", Yeddyurappa said while reacting to the budget proposals here.
Railway budget has nothing for Chhattisgarh: Raman Singh
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh termed the interim railway budget presented in
Parliament today by the Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav as disappointing.
Speaking reporters here, Singh said, there was no mention of the broadening of the Raipur-Dhamtari railway line, for which people are demanding for last several years.
"I had even written a letter to the Railway Minister requesting him to convert the narrow-gauge line into broad-gauge. The interim railway budget has nothing for Chhattisgarh," Singh said.
Efforts should be put in to achieve more: Chandy
The Interim Railway Budget will pave the way for speedy development of the railways and steps like reduction of fares, non increase in freight charges were welcome steps, leader of the Opposition in the Kerala assembly Oommen Chandy said today.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here, he said one could not state that Kerala was completely ignored in this budget. Two train services had been sanctioned, which was a welcome step, he said, adding that the government should try to get more for the state.
Industry feels let down
Industry today felt let down by Railway Minister Lalu Prasad for not cutting freight
charges, saying his budget has widened the cross subsidisation with the freight component bearing the cost of passengers.
While welcoming the two percent cut in most of the passenger fares, leading business chambers said they were expecting the Railway Minister to cut freight charges and
stimulate the industry, witnessing a slowdown.
"The Minister has refused to respond to the current slowdown by cutting freight rates and helping Indian industry in the midst of a slowdown," new Ficci President Harsh Pati Singhania said.
Similar views were expressed by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
"The Interim Railway Budget has been a missed opportunity to reduce freight rates across the board to stimulate the economy which is showing all signs of slowing down," chamber President Satish Bagrodia said.
He said the economy is reeling under the adverse impact of the global economic crisis and needs boost from all quarters.
"Reduction of freight rates, at least till the time economic revival kicks in, could have added to the fiscal and monetary stimulus packages. On the contrary, some freight rates were increased earlier this month," PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Satish Bagrodia said.
However, welcoming the budget, CII said the Prasad has focused on capacity building for the future by making the investments in infrastructure and freight corridor projects.
"Freight corridors, containers and improved passenger amenities that were announced in the budget will go a long way in making India's railway network more modern and efficient," CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said.
Assocham President Sajjan Jindal, generally welcomed the measures announced by Prasad, however, "The chamber would have preferred downward revision in the cost of freight movement", he said.
Assocham said in order to further upgrade railways, the proposed borrowings are a step in the right direction but suggested that the railway's freight charges should have also gone down as it would have given some relief to India Inc in coping with recessionary trends.
Commenting on start of western freight corridor project Federation of Indian Export Organisations President A Sakthivel said this may provide some respite to the trade since 60 percent of the containerisation cargo from the northern hinterland moves through this route.
First Published: Friday, February 13, 2009, 00:00