My Scribles

Madam Speaker, I rise to present the Budget for 2009-10. 2. Just 140 days back, I had the privilege to present the Interim Budget for 2009-10. It is a rare honour that I have been called upon to present the regular budget after the new Government assumed office. 3. The Congress-led UPA Government has come back to power with a renewed mandate. As Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, said recently "It is a mandate for continuity, stability and prosperity. It is a mandate for inclusive growth and equitable development." It is a mandate that we accept with humility and a firm resolve to do all that we can for the welfare of this nation. 4. I am deeply conscious of the faith reposed by the people in our government and the responsibilities that come with it. I am sensitive to the great challenge of rising expectations of a young India . It reflects a population that is restless, yet engaged and is ready to seize the opportunities that it is presented with. There are new and power...

Fare Reduction Sleeper fare would be reduced by 5%, 5% deduction in 2nd class fares beyond 50 km, coming to about reduction of Rs. 50 AC-I fares would be step down by 7% AC-II fares reduced by 4% AC-III fares brought down by 3% Ticketing Reforms UTS counters would be increased to 15,000 and ATVM s to 6000 in two years Information technology would be introduced at ticket counters Planning of ticket confirmation through mobile phone Arrival time would be printed on tickets E-ticket booking to increase from 1Lac to 3Lac annually Ticket reservation would be made possible from anywhere Multi department innovation promotion group in railway boards Auto ticket sale machines will be increased to 6,000 in 2 yrs Automated ticket vending machines will be 250 now Plans of doing away with long queues at ticket counter in next 2 years Special Discounts and Concessions Discounts on development of bulk and non-bulk goods terminals Boys studying in class 12 to get special confreightcessions to visit th...