Mamata to discuss Rail Budget proposals with PM

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee will meet PM Manmohan Singh during which she is likely to discuss Rail Budget proposals.

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday during which she is likely to discuss Rail Budget proposals.

Banerjee,who arrived in the Capital from Kolkata on Wednesday,had a series of meetings with Railway Board officials to finalise budget,to be tabled in Parliament on July 3.

Sources said she is likely to seek approval of the Prime Minister for several sops she wants to give to passengers.

Story continues below this ad

Banerjee also met Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia to discuss the proposals.

While she has already announced launching of a Rs 20 monthly pass scheme for vendors and students,it is expected that the passenger fare will remain untouched in the budget.

She has consistently maintained that railways have two sides – commercial and human. “All our moves should not be commercially oriented,” she said.

However,Indian Railways is facing a tough time with the slow growth in freight loadings due to slowdown. The operating ratio is also likely to go up from the current 78 per cent to more than 90 per cent due to the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations.

us india trade talks, us india trade negotiations, us india tariffs, us india trade relations, trump modi trade talks, india us commerce ministry, us tariffs on india, india exporters relief package, us india economic relations, india us trade barriers, us india trade deal, india us trade meeting, rajesh agarwal commerce ministry, india us trade dispute, india us bilateral trade

Trade talks ‘positive’, govt says will intensify efforts to close US deal early

Business4 hr ago

India and the US have resumed trade negotiations after the US imposed tariffs on India for buying Russian oil. The sixth round of talks will focus on recognising India's red lines and possibly increasing energy purchases from the US. Other topics include easing patent rules, data flows, and giving US firms procurement access.

View all shorts

Live Blog