Bitter Medicine that must be Swallowed for Economy’s Sake

Hike// Attacking the previous government, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on June 22, 2014, said the hike in rail fares was “thrusted upon” by the UPA, but it was a “bitter medicine” that had to be swallowed in the interest of sound health of the economy. “It is the result of the misplaced populism of the UPA’s 10-year misrule. The railways are bleeding. Former Railway Minister (Mallikarjuna) Kharge had sought and received approval of the PM (for hike) ahead of interim budget,” Naidu told reporters here.

The Union Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs Minister said, “The Railway Board has moved now to give effect to what then Railway Minister and Prime Minister had concurred.” Naidu explained the sequence of events relating to rail fare hike beginning with a proposal being made on February 6, 2014. Photocopies of an official circular dated May 16 regarding revision of passenger fares were distributed to the media. Noting that only 4,000 out of 12,000 trains announced by successive railway ministers during the last 10 years have been introduced, he said the present railway projects need Rs five lakh crore for implementation. He said the UPA has “derailed the economy” and tough decisions have to be taken to put it back on track.