Freight on transporting fertilizers, grains kept low

New Delhi, Feb 26 (UNI) The freight rate for transporting foodgrains and farm inputs has been kept in low class of 120 with increasing discount announced in the Rail Budget 2007-08 for incremental loading bagged consignments of wheat, fertilizers and cement loaded in open wagons to 40 per cent.

Earlier, the discount on loading in empty flow direction was 20,30 and 15 for wheat, fertilizers and cement.

The reduction in the tariff will also bring down the freight for diesel, petroleum and ammonia by about five per cent and will indirectly help the agriculture sector and Public Distribution System(PDS).

However, the Budget projected the higher earning from transporting fertilizer from Rs 2060.41 crore in 2006-07 to Rs 2,256. 46 crore and from that of foodgrains from Rs 3,391.32 crore during 2006-07 to Rs 3,718.52 crore.

At the same time, a low rate of freight on transportation with 50 per cent concession will continue for fodder, bhusa, gram husk, wheat bran, peas husk and kirby and coconut husk.

UNI