The Hindu : Front Page : No privatisation, says Railway Minister

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007
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Front Page

No privatisation, says Railway Minister

Special Correspondent

Lalu Prasad assures employees that there will be no retrenchment as feared by them

HYDERABAD: Railway Minister Lalu Prasad on Monday gave a categorical assurance to railway employees that there would be no privatisation and retrenchment as feared by them.

Mr. Prasad, who was participating in the 52nd Railway Week celebrations here, asked them not to fear privatisation any more as the danger that lurked during the previous NDA Government had gone. "Now that the UPA Government is in place, you need not have any doubt in your mind." Later, he gave away 15 efficiency shields and individual excellence awards to 264 employees. Minister of State for Railways Naranbhai J. Rathwa spoke and the entire top brass of Railways attended. The Railway Minister took a dig at the "think tanks" who came up with recommendation of reducing the manpower. "Where will this manpower go? Should they become naxalites? We have changed all such policies", he said amidst applause. Responding to slogans raised by employees demanding pay revision, Mr. Prasad clarified that the Pay Revision Commission could not be constituted by Railway Board but by the Central Government. "And whenever that happens, you will get all the benefits."

He said the functioning of the Railways had improved by leaps and bounds. So much so that management students from the Harvard and other Universities queued up to study. The Railways was able to mobilise bank funds at 5.75 per cent rate of interest against 6.25 percent charged for Reliance. "It is all because of you that we achieved it and we will make it the best in the world." Mr. Prasad spoke of the proposal to reduce the weight of the coaches to improve the running. Powers had been given to General Managers of zonal railways to call tenders and take up works till Rs. 100 crores and the Divisional Railway Managers from Rs. 5 lakhs to Rs. 50 lakhs.

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