Will rail fares increase again? Wait for budget, says Bansal

Chandigarh: Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal on Sunday evaded a direct reply on the likelihood of further hike in train fares, saying everyone will have to wait till the budget is presented. “I don’t know. I haven’t said anything so far,” Bansal replied when asked whether another fare hike will be proposed in the upcoming railway budget. [caption id=“attachment_612053” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of Railway minister Pawan Kumar Bansal. PTI[/caption] “Whether there will be further hike or not, I have not said anything so far,” he told reporters after inaugurating an exhibition of Khadi and Village Industries Commission in Chandigarh. “Let the budget be presented, then you will come to know (about it),” the Chandigarh MP said. Commenting on media reports suggesting further hike in fares, he said “some things are being attributed to me. I had only said kindly wait for the railway budget.” “I am not indicating anything, kindly don’t draw any inferences. Whatever I will have to say from my side, I will present my views in the budget,” Bansal said. The recent hike in rail fares came into effect on January 22. On how the Railways could help the Khadi industry, Bansal said “some things (related to the Khadi) are already there in coaches like blankets etc.” “We will discuss the matter in the Railway Board on what more can be done (in this regard),” he said. PTI