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Lok Sabha passes Railway Budget

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Railway Budget with Minister Nitish Kumar saying a formula has been evolved for sanctioning of rail projects on the basis of population and geography to remove complaints of discrimination from states and regions.

Replying to a discussion on the Railway Budget, Kumar said under the formula, 15 per cent weightage each was being given to population and geography and the rest 70 per cent to resources to ensure balanced development of Railways.

He said from now onwards, no rail projects would be included in the Budget until they get all relevant clearances.

The House passed the Railway Budget and the relevant appropriation bill after negating all cut motions by voice vote.

In his hour-long reply, Kumar said Railways would move in a big way to provide amenities to passengers in the 150th year of its existence.

He said Rs 2 billion had already been earmarked for this, adding Railways would strive for better communication with commuters to boost tourism.

He said Railways would also strive for improvement in old station buildings, terminals and yards.

In the Budget, the plan outlay for Railways for 2002-03 has been kept at Rs 101.20 billion.

Taking into account the outlay of Rs 22.10 billion on safety related works through the Special Railway Safety Fund, the total outlay comes to Rs 123.30 billion.

This was Rs 14.73 billion higher than the revised estimates of last year.

Kumar said Jharkhand had given two-thirds of the funds for rail projects in the state to ensure targeted completion of the schemes.

Karnataka was also availing of the scheme which was open to all states, he said.

Kumar said if other states followed suit, Railways would welcome such a participation for time-bound completion of projects.

The minister said Railways have decided that at least four compartments in all mail and express trains would be unreserved to benefit a large number of people from poorer sections.

The ambitious project of Rail Neer (drinking water) would be started on October 2 in the capital to help provide clean drinking water to commuters besides generating revenue for Railways.

He said a high-level committee has been set up by the Railways to advise it in the matter of rail zones in view of disputes over jurisdiction of some of the zones.

ALSO READ:
The Railway Budget 2002-2003
The Rediff Budget Special
Money

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