Reeling under a series of derailments, the Budget is likely to announce creation of a separate safety fund of about Rs 1 lakh crore over the next five years.
The Rail Budget will be presented in the first week of July and a balance between the 'commercial and human face' of the railways will be maintained, railway minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday. She also hinted that she would spend more time in her home state than in Delhi as the official work can also be carried out from West Bengal.
Continuing the trend of the past few years, the Railway Budget for 2007-08 may leave the second class train fare unchanged, but upper class AC and freight fares may be 'rationalised,' a euphemism for an upward revision.
In July last, fares were increased by 14.2%.
The Railway Budget is progressive and wil ensure growth.
Passenger fares and freight rates were left untouched
Biju Janata Dal termed the Budget, which was presented in Parliament by Rail Minister Sadananda Gowda, 'quite shocking' and 'illogical' as it complained that no emphasis had been made in it for the areas that generated more revenue from freight.
The Indian Railways will borrow Rs 15,000 crore (Rs 150 billion) from the market through its dedicated financing arm IRFC in the 2012-13 fiscal, Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi said on Wednesday.
The 30-share Sensex ended down 261 points at 28,747 and the 50-share Nifty ended down 83 points at 8,684.
Suresh Prabhu has announced a slew of measures to improve servcies in trains and railway stations
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday participated in a traditional 'halwa' ceremony, marking the final stage for preparation of Union Budget 2024-25 to be unveiled on July 23 in Lok Sabha. The ceremony is a ritual in which traditional dessert 'halwa' is prepared and served to officials and staff members of the finance ministry who are involved in the preparation of the Budget.
The 30-share barometer started higher, but lost its way soon after the railway budget.
He has now to show that he can take on the vested interests within the railways which are resisting change through corporatisation
The first Railway Budget of this Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government is a cosmetic exercise, high on rhetoric and low in substance, the CPI-M said.
Prabhu's maiden Railway budget is high on vision.
Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the vote on account for the Railway Budget for 2005-06
Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav presented the Railway Budget for 2004-2005 in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday (July 6, 2004).
The maiden Railway Budget of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government seems to have not gone down well with the suburban commuters as it does not offer anything new to them, commuters associations in Mumbai said.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday hailed Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee for doing a 'competent job' at a short notice, saying the Railway Budget will make train travel an "enjoyable experience".
Though the Railway Minister did not propose any increase in basic rail fares, the hike in reservation fees and supplementary charges will mean an increase of Rs 5 to Rs 25 in fares for all classes in superfast trains.
"The Railway Minister has presented a very responsible, practical and implementable budget," Chidambram told reporters outside Parliament.
Catch all the debates and discussions from the Lok Sabha.
Stepping up its offensive against the United Progressive Alliance government on the "tainted" ministers issue, the National Democratic Alliance on Friday decided to boycott the presentation of Railway Budget by Lalu Prasad Yadav in Lok Sabha on Satur
Highlights of the Railway Budget 2004-2005 presented by the Union Minister of Railways Lalu Prasad Yadav in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
The Opposition on Wednesday slammed the Railway Budget saying it will promote regional imbalance and criticised its use to promote political ends. Initiating the general discussion on the Railway Budget in the Rajya Sabha, Kalraj Mishra (BJP) said Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have been neglected and most of the projects have gone to West Bengal.
Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad on Wednesday described the railway budget as 'disappointing' and said the ministry's attempt to attract private firms to fund the rail projects is like 'chasing a dream'.
Mamata Banerjee's Railway Budget evoked mixed reactions. While corporate India welcomed the moves made by the railway minister, opposition political parties flayed the budget calling it a fantasy and opoortunistic. Read on...
The welfare of the common man continues to be the top priority. The minister has reduced fares for the fourth successive year.
Railway Minister Lalu Prasad on Friday presented a populist interim Railway Budget in Parliament.
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday termed the railway budget as "anti-development" and said that it reflects the "non-performance of the UPA government".
BJP termed the Rail Budget as disappointing and the concessions it gives an eyewash.
India's decrepit state-run train services stand to receive at least a 25 percent boost in investment to over $9 billion.
Railway Safety Plan for 12th Plan would be Rs 16,842 crore (Rs 168.42 billion), the Railway Minister informed the Lok Sabha.
Trivedi presented the Railway Budget in the Parliament on Wednesday.
India Inc welcomed the Railway Budget by describing it as "balanced" focused on passenger safety and infrastructure modernisation.
Following are the highlights of the Railway Budget 2006-07 presented by Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav
Suresh Prabhu is trapped in the 'rhetoric of his own government'.
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