Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government on Friday raised the railway passenger fares by 14.2 percent in all classes and freight charge by 6.5 percent, former IPS officer and social activist Kiran Bedi applauded the move saying raising rail fare is like biting the bullet, only a strong government can take unpopular decisions.
She wrote on the microblogging website twitter - “Railway hikes is biting the bullet. Only strong government is in a position to take unpopular decisions. Weak ones soft pedal to just pass time.(Sic)”

Bedi further critisised the last UPA government and tweeted that they left behind big holes due to policy paralysis and scams. “Last govt stayed on till their last breath.In a way milked it to the last drop!Leaving behind big holes due to policy paralysis and scams.”

Meanwhile, railway ministry said in a release today that the new passenger fare and freight rates will come into effect from June 25.
The ministry said the revision of rates was done as part of interim budget presented by the previous government, but was not implemented because of the elections.
The release said the annual expenditure of the ministry could not be met unless the revised rates, as finalised by previous government, is implemented.