Karunanidhi objects the move to attract FDI in rail sector

Chennai: DMK president M Karunanidhi on Tuesday objected to the move to privatise maintenance operations and attract FDI in railways but hailed the announcement of five new trains for Tamil Nadu in the Rail Budget.

It is welcome that five new trains have been announced for Tamil Nadu, besides super fast trains to be run between Chennai and Bangalore and Chennai and Hyderabad, he said in a statement. However, he pointed out that the previous Railway Budget by the earlier government had announced nine trains to Tamil Nadu. The DMK patriarch further noted that there was no mention of the rail fare hike, which the NDA dispensation announced few days ago, attributing it to the previous UPA-led government. "Announcements for the move to privatise maintenance and attracting FDI into the sector is not welcome," he said. He welcomed the government`s plan to have over 17,000 RPF personnel for safety and security, including 4,000 women personnel.