Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah welcomed Railway Budget presented on Wednesday by Railway Minister Mallikharjun Kharge by saying it has very positive outlook for the State. In a Press release issued in Bangalore, the Chief Minister described the Budget as “common man’s Budget.”
“Without increasing the fare and freight charges, the Railway Minister presented a development oriented Budget. I am happy the Railway Minister has Introduced new trains from Yeshwanthpur to Katra, Bangalore, Patna (weekly) Bangalore to Thiruvananthapuram (weekly). laying of new Railway line from Kadur to Chikkamagalur(46 kms), gauge conversion of 48 kms line from Kolar to Chikkaballapur and doubling of line in Mysore route are all an advantage to Karnataka,” he said.
Chief Minister praised the Railway Minister for his Budget in keeping the interest of the common man and also protecting the interest of the State. The Railway Minister on Wednesday presented what could be termed as the shortest vote-on-account. While he refrained from making any announcements, he did spell out the achievements of the Railways during the five-year stint.
The Minister started off with a Ghalib quote which meant that he will seek to present a truthful picture. Mallikarjun Kharge is the second Railway Minister from the Congress in the 10-year UPA regime to be presenting a Railway Budget, although interim. Earlier, under UPA-I regime lalu Prasad from RJD had presented vote-on-account (interim budget) in 2009.