Railway Budget for 2008-09 .

The most expected Railway budget for this Academic year 08-09 was released by Lalu Prasad Yadav this morning .

The highlight of the budget is he cuts 2nd class, AC fares, freight rates

Living up to his promise of presenting a people-friendly Rail Budget, with one eye on the general elections to be held due next year, Indian Railways Minister Lalu Prasad tabled a populist budget.

So keeping the common man in mind, the railway minister has cut passenger fares. He announced a cut of 5% in second class sleeper class train fare; AC-1 train fare down by 7%, AC-2 tier fares down 4%, AC-3 tier fares down by 3%.

Some more services like Advance booking starts 3 months back itself .

Railways will also issue wait-listed e-tickets(Before it is possible to book only E-tickets for RAC and Available seats only)..

Lalu Prasad said that the Railways had set up new profit records in 2007-08 attaining a profit of Rs 25,000 crore (Rs 250 billion!! )!!! .

on the whole this Railway budget was designed keeping in the mind of Middle class people who is travelling in this often ( I am travelling atleast once in a month!!!)

Lalu,
He is currently the Railway minister in the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and the president of the rashtriya Janatha Dal, he is also one of the few ministers to be charged and investigated in a number of corrupt cases who transformed the politics in the state of Bihar into 'kitchen' politics by appointing his wife after corruption charges were framed against him.He was very famous for his unique style of Compaign during election . Instead of all this now he became one of the talented politician !!!.

Though there is lot of black outs in this budget , many are considering this budget was excellent .

But still the question is arriving whether India is really shining ?

Courtesy :www.Rediff.com