BJP Government at the Centre is trying to modify all the old system and bring back some better options. The merger will help the Railways get rid of the annual dividend they have to pay for gross budgetary support from the government every year. Sources say that the merger will help the cash-strapped Railways save about Rs 10,000 crore annually. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said the merger of rail and general budgets will not impact the functional autonomy of the railways but help in enhancing capital expenditure. It would help the Railways raise extra capital expenditure that would allow them to enhance connectivity in the country and boost economic growth. An early presentation of budget will ensure that all legislative works are completed before the beginning of the new fiscal, from April, and help in funds allocated to various ministries flowing in from the first quarter. The Union Government is trying hard to make things move faster so that the public will derive benefits out of it early.
Jayanthi Maniam
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
