Railways fleecing passengers through backdoor: BJP
The Rail Budget came under attack in Lok Sabha from the Opposition and allies alike with the BJP accusing the Railways of "fleecing passengers through backdoor" and the CPI(M) going all out against private participation in it.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: The Rail Budget came under attack in Lok Sabha from the Opposition and allies alike with the BJP accusing the Railways of "fleecing passengers through backdoor" and the CPI(M) going all out against private participation in it.
"Sleeper class passengers have to pay almost 100 per cent more for buying tickets under the "Tatkal" scheme which can be bought five days in advance", BJP member Harin Pathak said while initiating the discussion on the Rail Budget.
Passengers, he said, have no choice but to buy expensive tickets under the scheme, as almost 40 per cent of coaches are reserved under Tatkal. "This is fleecing the passengers through the backdoor", he said.
The real catch, Pathak added, is that there is no waiting list under "Tatkal" and also no amount is refunded if one fails to get a reserved seat or cancels the journey. The railways, he added, were charging 40 per cent more on Tatkal tickets in AC coaches and 70 per cent more in third AC coaches.
Pointing out that railways were making the journey uncomfortable for the people by increasing the number of berths in existing coaches, he said, the organisation was set up to provide service and not to make money like MNCs.
Pathak also regretted that schemes like serving tea in `khullars' and introduction of bed sheets and curtains of 'khadi' are not being implemented. Opposing private participation in Railways, CPI(M)'s Basudev Acharia said the introduction of private players in catering services has deteriorated the condition of workers.
"Sleeper class passengers have to pay almost 100 per cent more for buying tickets under the "Tatkal" scheme which can be bought five days in advance", BJP member Harin Pathak said while initiating the discussion on the Rail Budget.
Passengers, he said, have no choice but to buy expensive tickets under the scheme, as almost 40 per cent of coaches are reserved under Tatkal. "This is fleecing the passengers through the backdoor", he said.
The real catch, Pathak added, is that there is no waiting list under "Tatkal" and also no amount is refunded if one fails to get a reserved seat or cancels the journey. The railways, he added, were charging 40 per cent more on Tatkal tickets in AC coaches and 70 per cent more in third AC coaches.
Pointing out that railways were making the journey uncomfortable for the people by increasing the number of berths in existing coaches, he said, the organisation was set up to provide service and not to make money like MNCs.
Pathak also regretted that schemes like serving tea in `khullars' and introduction of bed sheets and curtains of 'khadi' are not being implemented. Opposing private participation in Railways, CPI(M)'s Basudev Acharia said the introduction of private players in catering services has deteriorated the condition of workers.
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"The workers engaged by the private sector are not even getting minimum wages, while the earlier workers have been removed," he said. Download
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