Mamata lays emphasis on infrastructure development in backward areas
3 Jul 2009, 1706 Hrs

Add comment          Mail          Print          Write to Editor

New Delhi, July 3 Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee today sought to make the Railways an instrument of holistic socio-economic development of the country with focus on the backward areas and the poor.

Presenting the Railway Budget 2009-10, Banerjee said, "An expert committee will be set up to advise the Railway Ministry on innovative financing and implementation of the so called "economically unviable" but socially desired projects.

"The Committee will identify those parts that are detached from all infrastructure development," she added.

She said that the Railways would prepare a blue-print of the possible schemes which could be implemented in the next five years. Outlining her idea of development, the Minister said that though these projects might be economically unviable but were an economic necessity for the people of those regions that have remained victims of backwardness and poverty.

"They need these projects even more", the Minister asserted and added that these projects may not meet the so called economic viability criterion but create economic assets which would be far more beneficial for future development.

Elaborating her idea of development, Banerjee said that the time has come when our economists and social philosophers would have to consider, that the upliftment of the poor and downtrodden is the primary task of any welfare Government.

"The old mindset of economic viability should be substituted by social viability," the Minister emphasised. The Railways must set an example to promote 'inclusiveness' in their functioning keeping the needs of all sections of the countrymen in our thoughts, decisions and deeds, she added.

The Minister said that every ordinary person should receive his share in fruits of development.

"Indian Railways is a unique umbrella for creation of infrastructure for development and we aim to expand the network to reach development to every corner of the country", she said.

Summing up the Budget speech, Banerjee said, "it would be our endeavour to render all commercial services with a human face." (ANI)

Related Latest

'Aggressive' development must to prevent return of terror in FATA: Zardari Medha Patkar meets Mamata Banerjee on land acquisition bill Please, don't 'disturb' trains, Mamata to Maoists Karanataka's urban development plan seeks balance New discovery can speed up development of Parkinson's drugs Asian Development Bank to fund projects in India Kabir Suman has right to air his view: Mamata Banerjee Fiery Buddha takes on Mamata at Left Front rally Orissa partners with Small Industries Development Bank Why injured areas turn sensitive even to soft touch

Related Latest

Warnie says 'Pup' Clarke is his new bunny in 20-20 match Assam bomb blast death toll rises to seven (Update Assam blast) Windies won't wilt against Aussies, says coach Williams Central Excise, Customs official protest in Delhi for better pay Teenager charged for mutilation murder of Brit Indian Orissa Govt orders heavy security deployment in Korapat District Ferguson's overhaul plan puts greats under scrutiny Arrest warrant issued against two ministers in Karzai's cabinet Former Australian cricket stars question Clarke's capacity to captain Headley always felt pulled between East and West: Investigators

• Windies won't wilt against Aussies, says coach Williams
• Warnie says 'Pup' Clarke is his new bunny in 20-20 match
• Assam bomb blast death toll rises to seven (Update Assam blast)
• Central Excise, Customs official protest in Delhi for better pay
• Teenager charged for mutilation murder of Brit Indian

• भारतीय क्रिकेट की मजबूत दीवार
• कंगारूओं के आगे ढेर, चीतों से कैसे मुकाबला करेंगें शेर
• Reducing greenhouse gases may not be enough to slow global warming
• बीकानेर महापौर चुनावः एक विश्लेषण
• Deepawali: The Festival Of Lights