FOPSIA strongly opposed the Rail Budget 2015-16

Ludhiana, February 26, 2015: Federation of Punjab Small Industries Associations (FOPSIA) has strongly opposed the Rail Budget 2015-16 in regard to the increase in freight of Steel, Cement, Urea, LPG & Kerosene.

In a statement here today, Badish Jindal, President, FOPSIA  said the freight of Iron & Steel have been increased by 0.8%, Cement by 2.7%, Coal By 6.3% & UREA by 10%.

All these products are consumed in Punjab and due to locational disadvantages the Punjab is going to suffer the most.  

The increase in freight on Steel will directly effect the Engineering industry & increase in freight of fuel & coal will increase the power costs in Punjab.

It is indeed shocking that even after cut down in fuel prices by more than 70% the Railway is increasing the freight.

Further the announcements are more decorative than practical, he said. The Railway is targeting for transportation from 1 Billion tons to 1.5 Billion tons, whereas increase in freight will certainly effect the targets.

The increase in 20% length is just imaginary because it requires huge additional investment.  

Due to non air connectivity The Punjab was expecting a few new trains but no announcement made in this regard. 

With a fake reason of targeting the area of Mahatama Gandhi for remembering 100 years of Mahatama Gandhi's come back from Africa, there will be more focus on Gujrat.

In Last nine months nothing much changes in railway including the quality of food or cleanliness, So the time will prove these announcements.

The announcements have made in the budget to complete the Freight Corridors by this year which is next to impossible as around 50% work is pending.

The PPP mode is already there and in last 9 Months of BJP Government mot a single agreement made under this scheme.

The announcement just made without proposing the resources of Finance whereas budget documents shows that The Railway is trying to get the money from various institutions on long term loans whereas if PPP implemented then there will be no need of such loans, he added.