Sabkush Headlines: Modi Slams Railway Budget Of Mamata

Sabkush Headlines: Modi Slams Railway Budget Of Mamata

Modi Slams Railway Budget Of Mamata

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday alleged that UPA government has continued with its policy of injustice toward his state. While, Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Congress applauded the railway budget for not hiking the passenger fares and announcing to start new trains from here along with proposal to expand rail line network of the state. "The railway budget presented today is wayward and lacks vision of development along with the economic progress being made by the country," Modi said in a statement reacting to the railway budget presented by minister Mamata Banerjee. "Consecutive railway budgets have done injustice to the fast economically developing state like Gujarat. This years budget was also the same," Modi further said. "There is no political will to improve the infrastructure of railways in the budget presented today," Modi further said. "The budget shows that goods transport by railways had come down to 20.89 per cent this year as compared to 24 per cent in 2001-02, which says that people are preferring transporting goods by road instead of using rail network," he added. "Transportation by road is costlier and is adding to the high inflation," Modi said. Modi demanded that Centre should form an inquiry committee for quality reforms of railway infrastructure network. Gujarat AICC secretary in charge Sudhakar Reddy described the budget as the best ever presented in the country. According to him, union railway minister Mamta Banerjee has not increased the passenger fare, freight rates and has initiated measures to ensure safety and security of the railways passengers. He also lauded the measures introduced in the budget to encourage public private partnership (PPP) in the new railway projects and track development. The budget was also hailed by the GCCI. "This budget is what the country requires while coming out of global recession. The concession of Rs 100 granted in this budget on transportation of kerosene and food grains is a good step to curb soaring prices of commodities," President Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry Rupesh Shah said.