The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat has hailed the Railway Budget presented by the Railway Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee on Friday, saying it is a pro-people budget. The budget, he said, does not impose burden of increase in freight charges or passenger charges on the people. “At the same time, she has, in keeping with our government’s election promises, focussed her attention on passenger security and safety,” he said.
Mr Kamat said that the Railway Minister has provided for a large number of facilities by way of using innovative financial mechanisms like public-private partnership. No increase in passenger or freight fares; SMS updates for passengers on waiting list; 60 per cent concession to students; new point-to-point fast trains and 50 world class stations are the high points of the Railway Budget 2009, he added. He complimented the minister for the excellent budget and mentioned that additional train to Mumbai-Karwar will benefit the people of Goa. The Chief Minister said that the system of making tickets available in post offices would help common man. Similarly, the Tatkal Scheme which has been made more user friendly will also help large number of people.
-Navhind Times
