No increase in fares, freight rates

NEW DELHI, JULY 6 (PTI)

In a populist budget for 2004-05, railway minister Lalu Prasad today spared passengers of all classes from any increase in fares and the industry from freight rates while making adjustments in parcel rates to net an additional Rs 50 crore as he announced introduction of 15new express trains.

The budget contained a baggage of concessions including free second class travel for unemployed youths for central government job interviews and 75 per cent discount in fares in second and sleeper classes to widows of defence personnel killed in action against terrorists and extremists.

Escorts accompanying a deaf and dumb person will get a 50 per cent concession in fares in first, second, sleeper classes and in season tickets while it will be 75 per cent for severe and moderate haemophilia patients travelling for treatment in second, sleeper class, first class, ac chaircar and ac 3-tier classes.

Spouse of licensed coolie porters will also enjoy one set of privilege pass to travel to any station from the station of working.

Presenting his maiden budget in the Lok Sabha amidst an opposition boycott, Prasad said the 15 new trains, including four that will touch his home state Bihar, will be apart from 17 Sampark Kranti Express trains announced in the interim budget for introduction in the current year by his predecessor Nitish Kumar.

The total plan outlay for the current year has been fixed at Rs 14,498 crore including Rs 2,933 crore through special railway safety fund and Rs 300 crore separate allotment from the general exchequer for the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla national project.

Giving budget estimates for 2004-05, the minister fixed a loading target of 580 million tonne, 10 million tonne higher than the interim budget target and placed freight earnings at Rs 28,745 crore, showing an increase of Rs 645 crore over the interim budget.

Passenger earnings have been revised downwards from Rs 14,200 crore in the interim budget to Rs 13,940 crore based on trend. Other coaching earnings have been pegged higher at Rs 1,040 crore from Rs 990 crore in the interim budget taking into account the proposed re-classification of parcel rates.