Reversing the decision of his immediate predecessor Dinesh Trivedi in deference to the demand from all quarters, newly-installed Railway Minister Mukul Roy today announced a rollback of all increase in the passenger fares except of AC First and AC Second, proposed in the Railway Budget for 2012-13.
Mr Roy said the increase was being rolled back as it was going to heavily burden the common man. The announcement came during Mr Roy’s reply to the discussion in the Lok Sabha on the Railway Budget. He was sworn in only on
March 19, after Mr Trivedi was forced to resign by his party UPA ally Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee a few days after presenting the Railway Budget on March 14, ostensibly on the ground that he had introduced fare hike against party wishes.
Mr Roy said the hike in AC III and AC chair car was also being withdrawn keeping in view the fact that these classes were now being used by a large number of passengers from the middle class.
The Budget presented by Mr Trivedi had proposed 2 paisa hike per km in suburban and ordinary second class, three paisa per km in mail/express second class, five paisa in sleeper class, 10 paisa in AC chair car, AC III and First Class and 15 paisa in AC II and AC I.
All these increases except those for AC II and AC I have been rolled back. The Minister also reversed a few more proposals of his predecessor like extension of Railway Board by two members and creation of an Independent Railway Tariff Regulatory Authority.
—UNI