E-Paper
Railways' social obligations to cost Rs 6,661 crore
Cost of subsidies for suburban passengers and carrying essential commodities will be Rs 6,661 cr on Railways during current fiscal.
The cost of subsidies for suburban passengers and carrying essential commodities will be Rs 6,661 crore on the Railways during the current financial year even as Railway Minister Lalu Prasad presented a hike-free Budget for 2005-06 on Saturday.
According to the Budget papers, the social service obligation would lead to a loss of Rs 6,504 crore on account of expenditure on coaching services like suburban and non-suburban passenger tariff, parcel and luggage.
However, the estimated net social obligation of Railways stood at Rs 4,342.19 crore in 2004-05 after deduction of Rs 2,319.26 crore expenditure on staff welfare and law and order.
The loss on account of carrying essential commodities below the cost of operation stood at Rs 157 crore in 2004-05 with the movement of kerosene claiming the highest chunk at Rs 69.03 crore, followed by fruits and vegetables at Rs 46.29 crore.
Loss on account of the sugarcane movement, as part of the Railways social service obligation, stood at Rs 25.79 crore, while obligation due to movement of bamboos, coir products and livestock stood at Rs 8.56 crore, Rs 2.36 crore and Rs 2.16 crore respectively during 2004-05.
Railways are incurring an expenditure of Rs 705.03 crore on Railway Protection Special Force, Order Police at Rs 220.72 crore, and health, medical and welfare activities (Rs 725 crore).
The expenditure on canteen and other staff amenities stood at Rs 22.49 crore, educational assistance to railway employees Rs 97.08 crore and residential and welfare buildings at Rs 548.56 crore.
