The political storm in the United Progressive Alliance government over Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi issue on Thursday gave an opportunity to the Bharatiya Janata Party to charge that the government is short of number and is shying away from facing the amendments to the President's address in Parliament.
Improvement in passenger amenities and better interiors would also figure in the budgetary proposals.
The Rail Budget will announce introduction of AC suburban trains in Mumbai.
Analysts on Monday gave a mixed reaction to the railway budget, with some terming it as a "non-event" saying there were no radical measures to bridge the revenue deficit in the document, and a few calling it "pragmatic" given the limitations.
'As negotiations continue, the path forward demands not only diplomatic skill, but also vigilance against legal asymmetries embedded in America's trade playbook.'
Railways' freight loading traffic has been scaled down by 100 million tonnes from 1025 million tonnes because of economic slowdown, the minster said.
Trinamool politics set to trump prudence on passenger fares.
Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee will present the Rail Budget on July 1.
Rail stocks on Thursday fell by up to 8.6 per cent on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) as cautious investors offloaded shares ahead of the Railway Budget, 2011-2012 to be presented on Friday.
Presenting the Interim Railway Budget for 2014-15, Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday announced that new trains will be introduced.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that India and Pakistan came closer to resolving the Kashmir issue during the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government. He added that he does not expect a return to that situation in his lifetime. Abdullah lauded Singh's efforts on Kashmir, including the setting up of working groups on the issue, and said he practically initiated measures for the return of displaced Kashmiri Pandits. The chief minister also praised Singh's contribution to India's economic development.
Railway investment in the 12th Plan to be Rs 7.35 lakh crore
"I cannot say anything before I present the Rail Budget in Parliament. But I have alway kept in mind the interest of the poor and the common people," Lalu Prasad Yadav told reporters during an interaction at his residence.
The finance minister may stagger some of the recommendations.
With people reposing faith in the UPA and voting for stability, this is the government's chance to fulfill its promises, ensure growth and development of the country, check runaway prices, and offer succour to the aam aadmi.
The Union Budget delayed because of elections in five states will now be presented on March 16, four days after Parliament will begin its Budget session.
Ad rates on regular days are less than half, media planners said.
RJD president Lalu Prasad on Thursday said Railway Budget has cheated people as it has nothing to offer.
'Additionally, the significant employment multiplier will boost direct and indirect jobs of up to 1.1 million.'
The price stabilisation fund will call for processing capacity for perishables.
Determination of rates will no longer be an exercise behind veils where the Railways and the users could only peep covertly at what was happening on the other side.
Opposition said saying it lacked vision and road map to execute ideas.
The Budget session of the Parliament is likely to begin from February 25 with the Presidential Address to a joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha followed by presentation of rail budget and general budget on February 26 and 28.
Railway proposes to complete 273 kms of new lines including Chandigarh-Morinda-Ludhiana, Kakinada-Kotipalli and Hassan-Bangalore.
The Rail Budget is full of hollow promises, the Congress leader said.
From highways connecting once-remote regions to aviation networks carrying millions, India's infrastructure story is one of transformation.
Opposition parties on Friday criticised the government's decision to hike railway fares terming it as "criminal" to burden the people with such an increase and questioned as to why Parliament was not taken into confidence before taking the step.
The Union Cabinet will soon take a call on setting up Railway Development Authority of India, an independent regulator, which will decide on passenger and freight rates
The Kumbh Mela is what it is because of the devotion of millions who make it an experience like no other. It is experiencing the heart and soul of India and the brotherhood of mankind.
Modi said the transformations in the country in the past 10 years have reignited a risk-taking culture among the citizens.
Inviting private sector for the development of railway infrastructure, the Indian Railways on Wednesday said the ambitious target of laying 1000 km of track per year would be financed through its internal resources.
The three-month long Budget session of Parliament will commence on February 23 and the general budget would be presented by Finance Minister P Chidambaram on February 28.
Presenting the Rail Budget for 2010-11 in Parliament on Wednesday, Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said that there will be no increase in the passenger fares of any class or category of trains.
The Railways could tie up with technical institutions for introducing railway-oriented subject for graduation and skill development.
Senior citizens (those aged 60 years and above) will get 30 per cent fare concession on all trains, including Rajdhani and Shatabdi from Tuesday.
A day after proposing fare hike in the rail budget which has threatened his job, a defiant Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi on Thursday said he would repeat the same if asked to present the budget again.
Railways to have functional autonomy, bear salary burden
The Lok Sabha on Monday approved the Rail budget for 2011-12 after Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee assured the House of effecting measures to ensure availability of adequate coaches and wagons in the coming years.
The high-speed free Wi-Fi internet facility is now available at 6,100 railway stations across the country, RailTel said on Tuesday. "The milestone of 6,100 stations with Wi-Fi coverage was reached today (Tuesday) with the commissioning of Wi-Fi facility at Ubarni railway station (Rae Bareli district, UP) in Lucknow Division of Northern Railway," the statement by RailTel noted.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances