New Delhi, Feb. 20: There is no increase in the passenger fares in the Railway Budget proposals for 1975-76 presented to Parliament here this evening by the Railway Minister, Mr. Kamalapati Tripathi.
However, the Railway Minister announced proposals for “minor rationalisation” in the freight rates on certain commodities which would yield Rs. 39 crores. This will more than cover the deficit of Rs. 15.97 crores and leave a surplus of Rs. 23.03 crores.
The Railway Minister said that out of this Rs. 18 crores will be utilised for defraying expenditure chargeable to Development Fund and the balance of Rs. 5.03 crores will be credit to the Revenue Reserve Fund.
Mr. Tripathi said that the rationalisation proposals covered the tariff on foodgrains (including pulses) and iron ore and manganese ore for export. During 1974-75, the Railways would have suffered a loss of Rs. 34.5 crores in lifting 14.5 million tonnes of foodgrains and pulses which are carried at rates below the bare operating cost, since these were meant for public distribution. In 1975-76, this loss was expected to go up to Rs 35 crores on the movement of 15.5 million tonnes.
Published – February 21, 2025 04:27 am IST