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Santanu Sanyal

Kolkata, Nov. 19 Steel producers have urged the Railway Board to do away with various levies, particularly those applicable during busy season (October to June), considering the present slowdown in the economy. “Unlike other years, the period October - June 2008-09 is certainly not going to be the busy season in the sense it is commonly understood,” observe steel industry sources.

Between October and June every year, the Railways slap busy season surcharge on basic freight rates at the rate of five per cent on coal and coke and seven per cent on other commodities, including iron ore and finished steel items. In addition, while booking traffic for two point discharge during the period, the Railways charge a supplementary surcharge of five per cent on basic freight rate in trainload class.

In addition, development charge at the rate of two per cent is levied on normal tariff rate. The additional burden thus comes to 14.24 per cent over the basic freight. Added to this is the terminal charge at the rate of Rs 20 a tonne for other than private sidings.

The producers, therefore, have urged the Railways to take a re-look at various seasonal levies considering the difficulties being faced by the industry, it is pointed out.

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