LS passes interim rail budget by voice vote

Agencies

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha passed the Interim Rail Budget for 2009-10 by a voice vote on Thursday.

Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav rejected opposition charges that his ministry had hiked passenger fares and freight rates. He claimed that fares in all classes had been lowered in the past five years.

He also said that budgetary support to the Railways had declined to 29 percent from 53 percent since 2004.

Responding to the opposition's claims on the Orissa train mishap, he said the number of accidents had come down to 195 from over 400 in 2004.

Prasad also assured members of the Lower House that the safety of passengers would continue to be at top of his ministry's agenda.