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| Expect a good budget: Lalu |
| Railway Minister Lalu Prasad having a final look at the budget papers in the Rail Bhavan on Sunday ahead of its presentation
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| INDIA
, 26-February-2007
2:56:42 AM |
| Wait till tomorrow to see what we are going to do. People can expect a good budget that will keep in mind the interests of all sections as well as the safety and security of the travelling public," Railway Minister Lalu Prasad told newspersons on Sunday.
"I will not comment on whether the passenger fares and freight rates are going to be increased or rationalised. We have kept the interests of the common man in mind while preparing the budget earlier and this time also that is of the utmost importance to us. People can hope for a good budget," Mr. Prasad said.
Seated along with him were his two deputies, R. Velu and Naranbhai J. Rathwa, and Railway Board Chairman J.P. Batra.
Mr. Prasad said safety and security issues were uppermost in mind while preparing the budget. "I have tried to address the interests of all sections. But if there are any shortcomings, I should be told about them, I will try to remove them in future."
Asked whether freight charges would be reduced or rationalised in view of soaring inflation and the rise in prices of essential commodities, Mr. Prasad said: "The Government has already taken certain measures in this regard. Wait till tomorrow to see what we are going to do."
The people had a lot of expectations from the budget as trains carried millions of people and tonnes of essential commodities everyday, Mr. Prasad said, and added that he would try to live up to expectations.
Referring to the Samjhauta Express blasts a week ago that killed 68 people, he said the Government would take all steps to ensure the safety and security on all Pakistan-bound trains.
Already a number of measures had been put in place, and some others would be outlined shortly.
He sought to clarify the air over his not taking a call from his Pakistan counterpart in the wake of the blasts on the Samjhauta Express. "I was in a plane en route from Patna to Panipat at that time. There was no other motive to ignore him," he said.
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