Former Rail Ministers welcome budget

New Delhi, Feb 26 (UNI) Former Railway Minister C K Jaffer Sharif and his then deputy K C Lenka today welcomed the Railway budget presented by Mr Lalu Prasad and praised his initiatives with regard to passenger facilities.

Terming it as a ''good'' budget, Mr Sharif said several passenger incentives announced by the Minister were commendable.

However, he said it was difficult to believe that the Railway had a profit of Rs 25,000 crore. He refused to elaborate further, saying that he had not read the document in detail.

Effusively praising the budget, Mr Lenka welcomed Mr Prasad's announcement for 53 new trains and introduction of green toilets.

''Railway have improved a lot during these five years. Stations are much cleaner, food served on the trains have improved and toilets are well-maintained.'' He said ticket booking has become easier too with internet and mobile facilities.

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