Rail Budget 2012-13: Congress backs hike in railway fares

NEW DELHI: Congress on Wednesday backed the hike in rail fares in the railway budget saying it was "very minor" and necessary in view of the increase in fuel prices.

"As far as the fares are concerned, they were not raised for a long time. The hike is very minor in view of the rise in fuel prices," Congress chief whip Girija Vyas told reporters here.

The fares will not have much impact on the common man, she said.

She hailed the first Railway Budget presented by Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi as a "very good budget" which has "something for everybody".

Vyas said the budget was good as it particularly as it made safety and security as its foundation.

"One positive feature of the budget is that there are provisions for safety and security of the railways," she said.