Rail Minister to Reply to Budget Debate in RS Tomorrow

New Delhi, Mar 13 (UNI) The Rajya Sabha today inconclusively discussed the Railways Budget proposals for 2007-08 with Members expressing views reflecting their respective political commitments -- the treasury praising Rail Minister Lalu Prasad for ''yet another profit-making budget'' and the opposition leaving no stones unturned in picking holes therein.

The Minister will reply to the discussion tomorrow.

Participating in the resumed discussion, Members from parties aligned with the ruling United Progressive Alliance praised the proposals terming them ''people-friendly'' which, they prophesied, would result in the overall development of the country.

Meanwhile, discussants from parties opposed to the UPA maintained that Minister Yadav was only reaping fruits of foundations laid during the previous National Democratic Alliance regime -- and had nothing spectacular to offer as such.

However, all had at least one common refrain -- they sought either new rail lines, new trains or other sundry facilities in their respective states from the Rail Minister.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Tariq Anwar said the Indian Railways had shown a remarkable financial turnaround at a time when most public sector units were showing losses.

There is no proposed hike in fares, he said, rubbishing claims...

Picking up Para Thre of PAR 3, RAIL BUDGET RS.

UNI