The Hindu Business Line : AP Chamber hails Rail Budget

THE Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) has welcomed the Union Government's decision not to increase freight rates and passenger fares.

"This will boost the growth of trade, commerce and industry. This, in fact, is very much required by the industry, particularly, the small and medium enterprises," said Mr O. P. Goenka, President of FAPCCI.

Reacting to the Railway Budget submitted by Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav, the Railway Minister, Mr Goenka said the Government should consider the demand for introduction of Rajdhani Express between New Delhi and Hyderabad, and super fast trains from Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam, Visakhapatnam and Chennai, and Visakhapatnam and Howrah.

Welcoming the proposal for setting up a wheel manufacturing to reduce dependence on imports, Mr Goenka wanted the Government to consider Andhra Pradesh for locating such a unit. Mr Ramesh Datla, Chairman of CII (AP), felt that the Budget is not reform oriented.

Welcoming the steps to maintain status quo in passenger fares, he pointed out that CII's recommendation for corporatisation of Railways was not taken into consideration. Mr C. Parathasarathy, Chairman of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI - AP), said cross subsidisation in the Railways should be made transparent.

The South Central Railway Mazdoor Union said the Budget gave no direction to revive the Railways that starved of resources. "It is disappointing," said Mr Sankara Rao, General Secretary of the Union.

In a press release here, he said the ongoing projects required Rs 60,000 crore for completion. They had announced some new projects without giving a thought to the availability of resources, he criticised.

More Stories on : Railway Budget | Industry Associations | Andhra Pradesh

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