(Pics) Porter meet: Rahul promises what interim railway budget cannot

New Delhi, Feb 12: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's interaction with the railway porters, just a day ahead of the interim rail budget is a sign that the present government is leaving no stones unturned to reach out to every section of the society in their last lap before the Lok Sabha elections.

In an effort to listen to the woes of the lowest working class in the country, especially in a crucial domain like that of the railways, Rahul spoke to the porters, the trackmen and the gangmen, promising to resolve their problems.

Two-pronged strategy

Although Rahul Gandhi was clear about his intentions to include their views and opinions in the manifesto, it is believed that the rail budget and Rahul's meet was not a mere coincidence.

The meeting is likely to play a support to the interim budget for the railway, which is a stand-by solution to the people's problems till the new government is formed.

Incidentally, one cannot make announcements in an interim budget as it is not the final one to be followed, but a temporary set up for setting targets and backing revenues till the new government is formed.

True that the railway minister Mallikarjun Kharge is likely to declare new trains and lines, but he cannot make promises. Rahul's meet has a role to play here. His assurances will play as a substitute for the gaps left in the Rail Budget.

What Rahul said

Speaking of his desire to ensure that NRMBs get a "floor (farsh)", which will compensate for the wages of these workers that they earn by way of health, insurance, and education.

"I want to build a relationship with you, I want to hear your problems in detail," he told the gathering. The Congress leader promised to do whatever he could for the porters, saying, "I can only promise one thing. I'll do whatever I can for you, with my heart. I will take your problems to the railway ministry so that they can solve your problems."

On the complaints of gangmen and porters regarding odd working hours, Rahul Gandhi emphasized on the "basic minimum rights" for these men. He said that the Coolies should have a right to health and that their treatment should be borne by the railway authorities if they are injured during work.

"I promise you that I will do whatever I can to help you," he said.

In New Delhi

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi interacts with porters to seek their opinion on party manifesto for Lok Sabha elections 2014, at Delhi Railway Station on Tuesday.

In New Delhi

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi interacts with porters to seek their opinion on party manifesto for Lok Sabha elections 2014, at Delhi Railway Station on Tuesday.

In New Delhi

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi interacts with porters to seek their opinion on party manifesto for Lok Sabha elections 2014, at Delhi Railway Station on Tuesday.

In New Delhi

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi at an interaction with porters to seek their opinion on party manifesto for Lok Sabha elections 2014, at Delhi Railway Station on Tuesday.

In New Delhi

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi at an interaction with porters to seek their opinion on party manifesto for Lok Sabha elections 2014, at Delhi Railway Station on Tuesday.

In New Delhi

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi interacts with porters to seek their opinion on party manifesto for Lok Sabha elections 2014, at Delhi Railway Station on Tuesday.