Money > Budget > Budget News & Analysis FEBRUARY 19, 2002 | 15:25 IST    rediff.com 


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Nitish hints at 'difficult' Railway Budget

Hinting that the Railway Budget for 2002-03 could be 'difficult', Railway Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday said the Railways were facing a daunting task of mobilising funds for various projects without much budgetary support.

Noting that the budgetary support of Rs 35.40 billion to his ministry in 2001-2002 was "very small" to meet a whopping Rs 380 billion funding for various projects, Kumar acknowledged that presenting the Railway Budget was an arduous task.

Kumar was talking to reporters here on the sidelines of signing of a memorandum of understanding for accelerated and time-bound development of railway projects in Jharkhand.

"It is a difficult task to present the Railway Budget. Expectations are high from every quarter and it is difficult to keep everyone in good humour," he said.

He, however, said that the Railway Budget "would be good for everybody, for the people, for the country and for the Railways".

The minister parried questions whether there would be hike in passenger fares saying the document was being finalised and not much time was left for the Railway Budget presentation.

To a question on cross subsidy, he said: "Let us see. Wait till February 26 (when the Railway Budget will be presented in Parliament)".

On the thrust areas of the Railway Budget, he said efforts would be made to keep in mind the projects being launched on the first year of the 10th Plan and special emphasis would be laid on rail safety.

PTI

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