The Hindu Business Line : Verbatim

A very competent job in a short period of time. She has presented a Budget without imposing any burden by way of increase in freight charges or passenger fare. At the same time she has in keeping with our party’s election promise focused on improving amenities for passengers, improving safety and security of railways and making rail travel a desirable experience… A large number of facilities have been included by way of using the innovative finance mechanism of public private partnerships to improve the productivity of the Railways and to finance more investment. — Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister

Banerjee’s focus appears to be on her vote bank. Almost all major projects announced by her are earmarked for places like Lalgarh, Nandigram and Singur in West Bengal… South India, particularly Tamil Nadu, has not figured in her scheme of things at all. — J. Jayalalithaa, AIADMK supremo

The Railway (Budget) is very much in line with industry expectations. The initiative to develop cold storage cargo handling facilities will prevent the wastage of food and vegetables and is an initial step towards ushering in the second green revolution in the country. — Mr Harsh Pati Singhania, President, FICCI

It is a very positive Budget. The Railway Minister has spoken of all the things that are the need of the hour. One of the best moves is the incorporation of more public-private partnerships as it is time we realise that speedy development cannot be done in isolation by the government only.”

Mr Umesh Choudhary, MD, Titagarh Wagons

This budget is unique in the way inclusivity and overall development has been the focus without losing focus on safety, technology adoption and commercialisation while providing opportunities for industry though its capacity expansion programme and setting up infrastructure through PPP mode. — Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director-General, CII

No change in freight rates is a step in the right direction. Also, consumers of coal such as power, cement, and steel makers will benefit from unchanged coal freight. Coal freight is anyway on the slightly higher side right now. The move for dedicated freight corridors was much needed and necessary given that coal production and despatches are required to be increased hereon. — Mr Partha S. Bhattacharya, Chairman, Coal India Ltd

This is an announcement which might well prove to be a big boost for growth of modern retail. Besides, the huge real estate of the Railways and its logistics capabilities will help us use the infrastructure as a supply chain. Mr Kishore Biyani, CEO, Future Group