Left Front criticises privatisation thrust in railway budget

Terming it a "mixed' railway budget, West Bengal's ruling Left Front chairman Biman Bose criticised the privatisation schemes introduced in the new budgetary plans by Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee Friday.

"It's a mixed budget and the thrust is on more and more privatisation. We are opposed to rampant privatisation schemes," Bose told reporters here.

He said: "As far as I know, there's been no mention in the railway budget about more than 125 projects which are now pending with the railways. The minister also has not mentioned anything about filling up the existing vacancies in the railways.

"As this budget, tabled for the current financial year, is signalling a growth of privatisation in the Indian railways, I think it would not be very good for our future."

Senior Communist Party of India (CPI) leader and member of Lok Sabha from West Bengal Gurudas Dagupta said that Banerjee had scrupulously followed privatisation policy of the union government.

"For the first time, the railway land, which is the land for people, will be used for joint venture and private sector business.

"She is introducing privatisation in every sphere of the railways. It's a prelude to gripping privatisation of the Indian Railways," Dasgupta added.

While the communists opposed Banerjee's railway budget, the Congress leaders in the state welcomed it saying the minister has presented a "pro-people budget".

"We're happy to announce that Mamata Banerjee today (Friday) has placed a historic and a pro-people budget," state Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Manas Bhuniya told reporters here.

Trinamool Congress senior leader Partha Chattopadhyay also appreciated the budget. He said Banerjee has successfully lived up to the expectations of the common people who had reposed their faith in her in the recent-concluded Lok Sabha elections.

"This budget will not only benefit West Bengal alone but it will help the entire nation in terms of developing connectivity. She (Banerjee) has given equal attention to all aspects of the railways irrespective of any particular region," Chattopadhyay said.

Last updated on Jul 3^rd, 2009 at 20:07 pm IST--IANS