It Adopts Populist Measure
Mamata Banerjee has doled out many sops in her first railway budget. But I am afraid whether much of those sops can actually be put to use. I myself is angered with the concession given to journalists.
Banerjee today announced a new method of concessions to be given to accredited press correspondents. Under this method, the accredited journalists will receive photo identification cum credit card instead of coupons, which was in vogue till now. Now, I have travelled almost each corner of Maharashtra where the trains reach and never have I used these coupons. First of all, I am not an accredited journalist. Fellows like me can not adjust with the rigorous documentation required for getting accredition. Even in the new scheme, the credit card cum photo identification will be provided based on the certification by the Press Information Bureau and other competent State and local authorities. These authorities are not very forthcoming when it comes to awarding accredition. I know so many journalists in the regional press who, even after working for more than a decade, can not get the accredition.
In addition, concession of 30% will be increased to 50% for accredited press correspondents and permission will be given for once a year to travel with spouse at 50% concession.
Banerjee also announced a new scheme ‘Izzat’ (meaning honour) in the Railway Budget for 2009-10. This is much in the line of her predecessor Lalu Prasad Yadav who used to announce more and more sops for 'poors'. The point is not about depriving them. But let us be clear. Would you like to increase the volume of personnel traffic without heeding conveniences to be provided. Have these ministers really cared how the people are forced to suffer in the overcrowded bogies of long distance trains, sometimes in the ration of 1:4!
The new scheme will provide a uniformly priced monthly season ticket of Rs. 25 for travel up to 100 kms for members of the unorganized sector with monthly income not exceeding Rs. 1500/-. Does minister means that poor families should travel regularly 100 kms to find their wages?
Meanwhile, Pune Railway Station has been included in the list of 50 railway stations to be developed as world class stations. This is an old plan and nothing new in it. In fact, the work on modernisation of the station has taken a back seat for last one year.
Mamata Banerjee has doled out many sops in her first railway budget. But I am afraid whether much of those sops can actually be put to use. I myself is angered with the concession given to journalists.Banerjee today announced a new method of concessions to be given to accredited press correspondents. Under this method, the accredited journalists will receive photo identification cum credit card instead of coupons, which was in vogue till now. Now, I have travelled almost each corner of Maharashtra where the trains reach and never have I used these coupons. First of all, I am not an accredited journalist. Fellows like me can not adjust with the rigorous documentation required for getting accredition. Even in the new scheme, the credit card cum photo identification will be provided based on the certification by the Press Information Bureau and other competent State and local authorities. These authorities are not very forthcoming when it comes to awarding accredition. I know so many journalists in the regional press who, even after working for more than a decade, can not get the accredition.
In addition, concession of 30% will be increased to 50% for accredited press correspondents and permission will be given for once a year to travel with spouse at 50% concession.
Banerjee also announced a new scheme ‘Izzat’ (meaning honour) in the Railway Budget for 2009-10. This is much in the line of her predecessor Lalu Prasad Yadav who used to announce more and more sops for 'poors'. The point is not about depriving them. But let us be clear. Would you like to increase the volume of personnel traffic without heeding conveniences to be provided. Have these ministers really cared how the people are forced to suffer in the overcrowded bogies of long distance trains, sometimes in the ration of 1:4!
The new scheme will provide a uniformly priced monthly season ticket of Rs. 25 for travel up to 100 kms for members of the unorganized sector with monthly income not exceeding Rs. 1500/-. Does minister means that poor families should travel regularly 100 kms to find their wages?
Meanwhile, Pune Railway Station has been included in the list of 50 railway stations to be developed as world class stations. This is an old plan and nothing new in it. In fact, the work on modernisation of the station has taken a back seat for last one year.
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