Up
Highlights Part I(a)
Highlights Part I(b)
Highlights Part I(c)
Highlights Part II
Speech Part I(a)
Speech Part I(b)
Speech Part I(c)
Speech Part I(d)
Speech Part II
Budget at a glanceBudget 1998-99
Budget 1997-98
Budget 1996-97
Home |
Speech of Shri Nitish Kumar
Introducing the Railway Budget, 1999-2000
on 25th February 1999 - Part I(c)
Medical facilities
 | The health of Railway employees and their families, who are a part of the
world's largest industrial organisation, is being looked after by the Medical Department
of Indian Railways. They have made special contribution towards Pulse Polio Vaccine, AIDS
Control and family welfare. It is worth mentioning that the birth rate in the families of
railwaymen is 14 per thousand whereas, the national average is 18 per thousand. |
Industrial Relations
| Permanent Negotiating Machinery (PNM), Joint Consultative Machinery
(JCM), and Participation of Railway Employees in Management (PREM) are working
satisfactorily and the industrial relations on the Indian Railways are cordial and
peaceful. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes |
| As per statutory provisions, adequate protection and reservation are
being provided to the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes as well as other backward
classes. Under this, reservation cells are working at every level so that their complaints
can be disposed of quickly. |
Sports
| I am happy to inform the Hon'ble Members that the Railway Sports Control
Board has been renamed as Rail Sports Promotion Board to reflect the new orientation of
its purpose. In last Budget, I had mentioned that to bring about greater transparency, the
recruitment against sports quota would be made through open advertisements of promising
sportspersons. Procedure for recruitment has since been modified and 70% of the vacancies
in the Sports quota are being filled through open advertisements. |
| As in the past, Railways have maintained their position in the forefront
this year also in the sphere of sports. In the recently concluded Asian Games in Bangkok,
Railways have given outstanding performance. I take pride in mentioning that out of seven
gold medals won by India, five Gold Medals were bagged by Railway athletes. I am confident
that with the measures being taken to promote sports in Railways our sportspersons would
continue to give outstanding performance in the future also and bring laurels for the
country. |
|
|
Special Announcements
Concessions for Handicapped Persons
| The Orthopaedically handicapped and paraplegic persons with their escorts
presently get a concession of 75% in First Class, Second Class, and Sleeper Class. I have
decided that in future this concession will also be available in Air-Conditioned 3 tier
and Air Conditioned Chair Car. In addition 50% concession will be given in other
Air-Conditioned classes. |
Concessions to Press Correspondents
| Press correspondents accredited to the headquarters of Government of
India and State Governments/Union Territories and District headquarters are issued coupon
books at 25% concession in First Class fares and 50% concession in Second/Sleeper Class
fares for journeys up to 2,500 km per month. I am happy to inform the House that with
these coupon books they can themselves avail of 50% concession in all classes for journeys
up to 30,000 km in a year. |
Concessions to the Winners of President's Police Medal
| As our recognition of the contribution made by the recipients of
President's Police Medal for distinguished service, it is proposed to provide them the
facility of 30% concession for travel in all classes and by all trains, including Shatabdi
and Rajdhani services, after they attain the age of 60 years. |
Concession for licensed porters
| Acknowledging the significance of the services of licensed porters in
making the journey of rail passengers comfortable, they have already been given the
facility of one second class pass for self from their place of work to any station in
India once a year. It has been decided that in future the licensed porters will also be
extended the facility of one set of Privilege Ticket Order in second class every year for
self and spouse for travel from the station of working to any station in India. With this
facility, he/she will be able to travel with spouse by paying one-third fare. |
Passenger Reservation Terminals
| It is now proposed to provide PRS terminals on an experimental basis to
travel agents authorised under the Rail Tourist Agents Scheme and Rail Travellers Service
Agents Scheme of the Railways at their cost and with suitable safeguards, etc. in order to
facilitate rail reservation for common man. |
|
|
