CPI(M) neither happy nor unhappy over Railway Budget

Kolkata, Feb 24 (UNI) The CPI(M) today said the 2005-06 Railway Budget was not for the common people and the absence of a Delhi-Kolkata freight corridor was ''deprivation'' to West Bengal.

''We expected a Delhi-Kolkata freight corridor, but it is not in the budget. It is a deprivation to the state, '' CPI (M) state Secretary Anil Biswas said.

Talking to reporters, Mr Biswas, however, expressed happiness at the proposal for a Mumbai-Delhi freight corridor and expected that a similar facility would be extended also to the state in future.

He said the party was neither happy nor unhappy over the budget.

Objecting the proposal for privatisation of catering service and maintenance, he said this would lead to pruning of Railway staff and the CPI (M) would continue to oppose it.

Commenting on the slashed railway fares for AC two and three classes, Mr Biswas said the measure would benefit only the middle class, while the common people would have nothing to rejoice over it.

Mr Biswas welcomed the introduction of eight long distance trains from Kolkata. However, the general expectation was for more suburban trains, but the budget did not meet that aspiration, he added.

UNI AKM-KDG SJC SHR KN2013