View Articles

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It is the same old story of cruel neglect. The raw deal meted out to Kerala in the Railway Budget has left the State railing against the exercise.

Is India inching towards a crisis in external payments like in 1991? This question is coming up with increasing frequency now a days. The answer is not quite, but it cannot be ruled out if current trends are any indication. What is needed is some course correction, for sure.

At a time when the global economy is in panic following the political instability in Italy and uncertainty over the future of euro, it takes courage to talk of successfully navigating “difficult times”, but the Economic Survey for 2012-13 presented to Parliament on Wednesday has done that. The seriousness of the existing challenges to the Indian economy, especially in the fiscal side have been underlined but there is strong optimism that India will come out of this more stronger by adopting a set of policies which will take care of both growth and social security.

Is Mr Pranab Mukherjee determined to become India’s “hanging President”? Going by his summary rejection of the mercy petitions of Ajmal Kasab’s and Mohammed Afzal Guru, among others, that seems to be the case. Both men were secretly hanged in violation of their fundamental right to a final appeal against the rejection. This grave breach of due process has been roundly condemned by eminent jurists, including two former Chief Justices of India, senior lawyer Fali Nariman and former Solicitor General Gopal Subramaniam.

The outcome of the confrontation between the liberal-minded protesters of Shahbag Square in Dhaka and their Islamic fundamentalist opponents, mainly of Jamaat-e-Islami, will not remain confined only to Bangladesh.

Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal was seen under the pressure of impending Legislative Assemblies and Lok Sabha elections, while presenting his maiden Rail Budget, but unfortunately he failed to enthuse the people of India with its provisions. Elections will be held in many states of the countries in coming months and Lok Sabha election is also due in 2014. This is perhaps the last Rail Budget of UPA2 government, which may most probably go for only a vote on account next year, if Lok Sabha election is held on its due date. That is the reason, why RM was expected to present a populist budget.

For the first time in many years, the railway budget this year brought a breath of fresh air. Instead of expressing platitudes about poor men and poverty and requirements of virtually free rail travel, the budget this time talks about Indian railway network future and a vision for future growth.

The Railways, a prime mover of India’s economy, are in bad times. Going by all key operational parameters such as handling of freight earning cargo volume, passenger numbers, status of technology, safety and security, quality of service, investment in modernization of tracks, rolling stock, locomotives, signaling and safety equipment, and passenger comfort, the performance of Indian Railways during 2012-13 has been among the worst in memory. It is estimated to incur a loss of around Rs. 24,000 crore during this fiscal. The railways failed miserably in achieving the current fiscal’s performance projections.

New Delhi: Keeping in view the polls ahead, the Government has done a tight rope walking, managing both the revenue to be garnered and avoiding immediate impact on passengers

New Delhi: The Indian Railways in the current year has taken care to ensure connectivity with country’s border areas – a vital aspect in the defence strategy.