Lalu’s free train ride for former ministers set to be cancelled

The Railway Ministry is set to cancel former minister Lalu Prasad Yadav’s order permitting former Railway ministers to avail of free AC First Class travel along with three companions apart from one attendant in AC second class. Lalu had rushed through the order,which amended the Railways Servants (Pass) Rules,increasing the facilities available to former Railway ministers under the complimentary card pass,on May 19,just two days after the Lok Sabha poll results came out.

BJP leader Ram Naik,who has also held the charge of Minister of Railways (Independent) in the past,has written to Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee drawing her attention to “blatant misuse of the minister’s authority” in getting that order passed.

Naik wrote of the impropriety of taking a decision “benefiting himself personally after the LS poll results is improper and unethical”.

Story continues below this ad

“I have gone through Ram Naik’s letter and I agree with him. Increasing the number of people accompanying a former railway minister should not be there as it affects the common traveller,” Mamata responded when asked about the matter. However,when asked whether she would cancel the order,she just said,“Main apse sehmat hoon (I agree with you).”

“I respect Lalu ji,” she said on being questioned further.

Sources close to the Minister said the order would be cancelled in the next few days.