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Railways suffering heavy loss: Prasad

by IBNS 21 Jun 2014, 10:17 am

New Delhi, June 21 (IBNS) Justifying the steep hike in rail fares, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said it was an effect of the policies of the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

"Railways is suffering a heavy loss daily. To give better services, there is a need of resources," Prasad told CNN-IBN.

"There will be a little unease to the people but ultimately this is for the benefit of the people," he said.

"The liability of 10 years of malfunction is being put on the NDA government," he added.

With not even a month in office, Narendra Modi government on Friday increased Railway fares with the the passenger fare being hiked by 14.2 percent.

 The freight rates have been hiked by 6.5 percent.

New fares will be effective from June 25.

This is the first steep hike in Railway fares in many years.

In its revised rates, the  Ministry of Railways state that there is withdrawal of short lead concession in charging of freight for all traffic booked upto 100 kms. Minimum distance for charge has been increased from existing 100 kms to 125 kms.

 The number of Low Rated Classes have been reduced from 4 to 3. Certain concessions in case of some of these commodities has also been withdrawn, the Ministry said.

In case of passenger fares, the Ministry has hiked a flat 10 percent in all classes.

There will be no increase upto minimum distance for charge.

In addition there will be an increase of 4.2 percent in fares on account of FAC which is due from April 2014.

"Second Class Monthly Season Ticket (MST) fares of Suburban and Non-suburban shall be charged on the basis of 30 single journeys instead of approximately 15 single journeys.  Fares of First Class Monthly Season Tickets will be charged @ 4 times the Second Class Monthly Season Tickets (MST) Fares as is done presently.  Revised fare shall also be applicable as per the existing method of computation on Quarterly Season Tickets (QST), Half Yearly Season Tickets (HST) and Yearly Season Tickets (YST), etc.  these revisions have been shown in the Season Ticket Fare Tables," the Ministry said.

There has been no change in charges for reservation fee, superfast surcharge.  Such charges, wherever applicable, will continue to be levied additionally as per existing instructions.

Service tax will also continue to be levied as applicable as per instructions issued in this regard.