PM lauds Lalu's Mgt skills in improving Railways' fortunes

Mumbai, Oct 5 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that the turnaround story of Indian Railways under Railway Minister Lalu Prasad's leadership would make a good case study for the best business schools across the world.

''It demonstrates that with dynamic leadership, professional management, a committed workforce and a result-oriented focus, government organisations can be as good as any other private organisation'', Dr Singh said during the foundation stone laying ceremony of Dedicated Freight Corridor (Western) project and launching additional suburban train services at the Railway Ground in Parel, central Mumbai here this afternoon.

The Prime Minister said modernisation of railways and creation of additional infrastructure was a national priority and important commitment of the UPA government. He said he was impressed by the turnaround Mr Prasad has achieved in the Railways.

''When the UPA government came to power, the railways were in deep financial trouble and suffered from years of neglect. There seemed to be no light at the end of the tunnel. Mr Prasad showed a new light to this organisation. He showed his capabilities as a visionary leader, an institution builder and a reformer. The Indian Railways has staged a dramatic turnaround with the same employees and assets''', Dr Singh added.

He said in the last two years, Railways have been able to improve customer services without raising passenger fares. In fact, facilities for the poorer sections of the society have improved greatly. Railways have reformed without losing sight of their social obligation, he added. ''This is what we call inclusive growth. This is the philosophy of the United Progressive Alliance. This is what all other organisations must emulate'', he added.

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