The Hindu Business Line : Lalu assures farm produce outlets at railway stations

Indian Railways, willing to do its bit for ensuring a better life for the Indian farmer, plans to open fresh vegetables outlets at select railway stations where the farmer can directly bring his farm produce and sell it.

Addressing a large gathering at the railway station here on the occasion (organised by Eastern Railway) of unveiling a `Martyrs' Memorial' at the station courtyard, Mr Lalu Prasad, the Union Railway Minister, said the Railways was keen to take up the project in collaboration with the private sector to ensure a fair price for the Indian farmer. "This will benefit both the farmer and the businessman."

The Minister also categorically stated that Indian Railway service will never be privatised.

Coolie welfare scheme

Promising a new welfare scheme soon for all 35,000 coolies in the India Railway system, under which they will get basic amenities such as shelter, drinking water, lavatories, living quarters etc, the Minister said a policy to this effect will be announced on the floor of Parliament.

The Railway Minister also announced that the `Garib Rath' (air-conditioned train for the poor), which will initially run between Howrah and New Delhi via Patna for a nominal fare of Rs 600, will come into service sometime next year.

Freedom struggle

Recalling the supreme sacrifices of freedom fighters in the 1942 Quit India Movement, Mr Prasad said the Railways, by helping to set up the Martyrs' Memorial at Bolpur station, was paying its tribute to those who laid down their lives in the cause of Freedom.

On this day some 64 years ago, a general strike was called in Bolpur to protest the British government's policy of sending food grain produced in the Birbhum district to other parts of British India for consumption of the Imperial Army, when the district was reeling under a famine.

Thousands of people, including a large number of Santhal tribals, assembled at Bolpur railway station and tried to obstruct the movement of goods trains carrying the grains. And were lathi-charged and fired upon by the British army and police, resulting in death of Tarapada Guin and Jatha Majhi, and injuries to many others.

The Martyrs' Memorial was unveiled on Tuesday by Mr Somnath Chatterjee, Lok Sabha Speaker, who is also elected to the Lok Sabha from this constituency.

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