Rilway budget neglects Kerala: Govt, Opposition

Congress-led UDF government and CPI-M headed LDF opposition in Kerala today termed the NDA dispensation's maiden railway budget as very disappointing, saying it has totally ignored the state.
Minister for Power Arayadan Mohammed said Kerala had never been neglected like this in its history.
"While the budget announced introduction of 27 express trains, Kerala has not get a single one", Mohammed told reporters here.
Non-BJP ruled states had been left out while sanctioning projects and new trains, he claimed, adding overall the budget showed the Centre was for privatisation.
Mohammed said Kerala had been ignored despite Chief Minister Oommen Chandy himself meeting the Railway Minister and submitting a memorandum, listing needs of Kerala.

Echoing the same sentiments, CPI-M state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said the railway budget proved futile (Narendra) Modi's claim that he wanted a comprehensive development of the country.
Leader of the Opposition in the assembly V S Achuthanandan (CPI-M) claimed BJP government was following the same yardsticks of the previous UPA regime.
"It seems that in the Railway map of BJP government, there is no state called Kerala", Achuthanandan added.