Rail Budget 2010-11: Mamata keeps passenger, freight rates under check
24 Feb 2010
The Railway Budget for 2010-11, presented by Mamata Banerjee in Parliament today, kept passenger fares for all classes unchanged even as the railway minister announced a reduction in service charges for e-tickets and freight charges for food-grains.
In spite of tight resource position of Indian Railways, she proposed to reduce Rs100 per wagon in freight charges for foodgrains and kerosene for domestic use.
The minister announced a reduction in maximum service charges to Rs10 for sleeper class and Rs20 for AC class. She also announced 100 per cent concession for cancer patients going for treatment together with an escort in AC 3 class.
Technicians of regional film industry when traveling for film production related work will also be eligible for 75 per cent concession in second sleeper and 50 per cent concession on other classes in all trains.
The concession under `Izzat' scheme, for press correspondents and students of madrasas will also continue, she said.
Hike in investment
The minister proposed Rs41,426-crore plan investment by the Railways - the highest ever - in the financial year 2010-11, in order to provide efficient, customer focused and modern railway network in the country.
