State BJP hailed the Railway budget calling it progressive amid Opposition’s hue and cry here on Tuesday. Jharkhand just got two new trains and extension of an old one in the Union Railway Budget presented on Tuesday.
Former Chief Minister Arjun Munda, hailing the Rail Budget called it praiseworthy from infrastructural, employment generational and security point of view. Munda also said that the earlier Congress led UPA governments had ruined the Railway infrastructure and transportation system in the Country. Congress and JMM on the other hand, alleged Gowda of being unrealistic and anti-Jharkhand.
Munda, termed the initiatives taken in the Rail Budget for structural development, employment generation, passengers facilities, dedication to complete the pending projects, disaster management, quality service and to start the pilot projects, setting helpline as positive steps in social and economic direction. He also expected that the pending Railway projects in the state will be completed soon.
Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand Parimal Nathwani expressing gratitude towards the Railway Minister for giving two trains to the state, also expected that the Central government will definitely think about the age-old demands raised by the people of the state.Nathwani further said that state’s demands of a direct train to Mumbai and a daily Rajdhani train from Ranchi to Delhi with new coaches are pending for quite some time. He said that there are certain rail projects which were sanctioned before formation of Jharkhand and some after the state’s formation.
Congress however, reacting on the Rail Budget said that no care has been taken to provide basic facilities to the common man. Jharkhand State Congress Committee (JPCC) President Sukhdeo Bhagat asked the BJP that why the Rail budget, also known as the growth engine of the Country, was not connected with the bogey of Jharkhand. Charging BJP government of showing sweet dreams to the people of the state, Bhagat said that the party is trying to placate the people with bullet train which has never been included in the basic requirements of a common man. He said that people were expecting a respite from the increased rail fare, which did not happen. JPCC General Secretary Sailesh Sinha also called the Rail Budget as a cheating with the people of the state.
Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI) president Bikash Singh calling the Rail Budget as highly disappointing said that the no steps were taken on the repeated requests made by the people of Jharkhand to start direct trains to Ahmadabad and lucknow from Ranchi the Railway Minister has given Hatia-Raurkela passenger.Despite the fact that the Jharkhand has given 12 out of 14 seats to Modi government, people of Jharkhand are a bit disappointed by the Rail Budget announced by the Union Railway Minister as they were expecting more for the state by the newly appointed BJP government at the centre, said Singh.
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha on the other hand has said that the rail budget clearly depicts the anti-Jharkhand and anti-East mentality of the Railway Minister. Releasing a press release, the JMM said that despite given maximum revenue by Dhanbad and Chakradharpur Rail Division, people of Jharkhand have been deprived of the basic passenger and train facility. He also added that rail budget presented on Tuesday has proved what exactly the centre thinks about Jharkhand and West Bengal.