Lalu to root out rail contract corruption

Promising to root out corruption in awarding of railway contracts and giving high priority to passenger safety, Lalu Prasad, the railway minister, winded up the three day discussion on 2004-05 Railway Budget in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

His two hour reply was followed by passage of relevant appropriation bills for vote-on-account on the Railway Budget by a voice vote, by the Lok Sabha.

Lalu Prasad said the rules to deal with railway scrap had been changed, as it was a breeding ground for mafia and dacoity in the Railways. In his Budget speech, he had announced that the scrap, consisting primarily of steel and aluminium, would be re-used for making wheels and axles, for which a new factory would be set up in Chapra in Bihar.

He also informed the House that he said the Railway Protection Force would be given more teeth and recruitment carried out in the entire country to augment the force.

Defending allegations of certain areas being neglected in the Railway Budget, the minister said allocations had been stepped up for new rail projects in all states. He said the Rail Budget was aimed at serving the common man and adequate funds were being provided for more rail projects in all the regions of the country.

"This budget is a mirror reflecting realities as well as the needs of all regions, religions, caste and creed," he said. The minister has identified 62 works for early completion. He also announced 15 new trains to be launched this fiscal.

Lalu said proposals were being prepared to connect remote areas and these would be expeditiously routed to the Planning Commission for clearance.

Turning to Jammu and Kashmir, he said Rs 5,500 crore had been allocated for new line connecting Udhampur to Srinagar, of which Rs 1,200 crore would be spent this year. He promised to complete the project within the stipulated time.

Efforts would also be made to manufacture wheels, axles and coaches in order to reduce their imports at high costs, he said adding surveys had been ordered on several proposals made by the members in Lok Sabha.

Lalu said his proposals to introduce earthen pots (kulhars), khadi and milk products in trains had been welcomed by all quarters and these would go a long way in reviving and ensuring growth in the rural sector.

  

On high priority

• Rules dealing with railway scrap had been changed.
  
• The Railway Protection Force will be given more teeth.
  
• Adequate funds are being provided for more rail projects in all the regions of the country.