VSK TN
Hon’ble Minister of Railways announced on January
9, 2013 affecting an across-the-board hike in fares of all classes from
midnight of January 21.
9, 2013 affecting an across-the-board hike in fares of all classes from
midnight of January 21.
ABGP, submitted a Memorandum appealing to
the Hon’ble Minister of Railways to roll back the steep fare hike announced will further hit the common man already reeling
under price rise and inflation. Further, unlike others, The
Railways have social obligations too. Moreover, whenever there is a fare hike
assurances are given that passenger amenities in the Trains and Stations etc
will be improved. But in practice and from the media reports it is learnt that
IR has to go a long way to extent satisfactory passenger service.
the Hon’ble Minister of Railways to roll back the steep fare hike announced will further hit the common man already reeling
under price rise and inflation. Further, unlike others, The
Railways have social obligations too. Moreover, whenever there is a fare hike
assurances are given that passenger amenities in the Trains and Stations etc
will be improved. But in practice and from the media reports it is learnt that
IR has to go a long way to extent satisfactory passenger service.
Highlights of fare hike
effective from midnight of 21st January 2013.
effective from midnight of 21st January 2013.
-Second class ordinary suburban
fares up by 2 paise per km
fares up by 2 paise per km
-Second class ordinary non-suburban
fares up by 3 paise per km
fares up by 3 paise per km
-Second class mail express – 4
paise per km
paise per km
– Sleeper class -6 paise per km
Hon’ble Minister’s assertion that, “People are ready to pay. After all we have to
modernize the railways,” “That railways needed funds to do even the
elementary things — from upgrading signalling system to facilitate running of
trains through fog, installation of anti-collision devices to bio toilets in
coaches and at stations as part of ensuring better hygiene.”
modernize the railways,” “That railways needed funds to do even the
elementary things — from upgrading signalling system to facilitate running of
trains through fog, installation of anti-collision devices to bio toilets in
coaches and at stations as part of ensuring better hygiene.”
Hon’ble Minister’s above
assertions and justifications for the fare hike are unjustified and
unacceptable.
assertions and justifications for the fare hike are unjustified and
unacceptable.
ABGP submitted to the Hon’ble Minister’s kind
attention that when the Budget Session of Parliament is by next
month, without active discussions and suggestions by Members of Parliament on
Railway Budget, any hike or major policy decision announcement by the Minister
is not a democratic one. There is no urgency to hike the fares now itself.
attention that when the Budget Session of Parliament is by next
month, without active discussions and suggestions by Members of Parliament on
Railway Budget, any hike or major policy decision announcement by the Minister
is not a democratic one. There is no urgency to hike the fares now itself.
The
Railways and Finance Ministry have other means to garner additional revenue
like
Railways and Finance Ministry have other means to garner additional revenue
like
– Avoid giving, huge concessions to Corporates.
– Unearthing the Black money.
– Effective collection of dues from NPA of high borrowal accounts of banks.
-Generating income from vast land properties of Railways.
– Increasing the advertisement revenue.
– Effective administration etc,
If income
is generated from the above avenues, there will be no necessity to this fare
hike. IR being one of the world’s largest networks and caters to
more than 20 million passengers daily, the steep fare hike, will further
hit the common man already reeling under price rise and inflation. Further,
unlike others, The Railways have social obligations too. Moreover, whenever
there is a fare hike assurances are given that passenger amenities in the
Trains and Stations etc will be improved. But in practice and from the media
reports it is learnt that IR has to go a long way to extent satisfactory
passenger service.
is generated from the above avenues, there will be no necessity to this fare
hike. IR being one of the world’s largest networks and caters to
more than 20 million passengers daily, the steep fare hike, will further
hit the common man already reeling under price rise and inflation. Further,
unlike others, The Railways have social obligations too. Moreover, whenever
there is a fare hike assurances are given that passenger amenities in the
Trains and Stations etc will be improved. But in practice and from the media
reports it is learnt that IR has to go a long way to extent satisfactory
passenger service.
In view
of the above, as a responsible All India Consumer Movement, ABGP appealed to
the Hon’ble Minister to reconsider the decision and order for the roll back of
the fare hikes announced.
of the above, as a responsible All India Consumer Movement, ABGP appealed to
the Hon’ble Minister to reconsider the decision and order for the roll back of
the fare hikes announced.