It’s been a year of many promises made, little kept as railway minister Mamata Banerjee presents her second budget on Wednesday.
Just to take one example, in December 2009, Banerjee promised at least a lakh jobs for the Rs 110 crore project at Dankuni, which is essentially going to be a sub-assembling unit of Chittaranjan Locomotive Works. But like many other projects, this one is yet to get off the ground — the land is disputed.
Then again, observers are asking where will the jobs come from? In a letter to zonal managers of the railways in December itself, Banerjee proposed to re-induct retired staff. The letter also mentioned that those who are re-inducted can work till 62 years of age. Apart from retirement benefits they will get daily allowances ranging from Rs 300 to Rs 565 according to their respective grade payments.
Such a decision of the ministry of railways has already raised concerns over future recruitment drive of the ministry. In fact, according to railway ministry estimates almost 1.72 lakh posts are lying vacant in Indian Railways.
Since she assumed office in Kolkata instead of New Delhi, Banerjee has concentrated more on Bengal. She launched many trains in the state, and according to railway officials, the publicity cost only for each such programme is in excess of Rs 5 lakh.
Banerjee launched the superfast Duronto Express with great fanfare before the pujas, but the much talked about economy class of the train had to be quietly withdrawn. There were many complaints about passenger amenities — there were too many seats, too little space.
A closer look at the progress of rail projects will reveal that the proposed rail coach repair factory in Rae Bareli is yet to receive the consultancy report and yet the project is slated to be completed by 2011.
In the 2009-10 Budget, Banerjee proposed takeover of the ailing Burn Standard’s wagon manufacturing unit subject to state government?s approval. Burn Standard is yet to receive anything from the ministry.