How Railway Budget Will Affect the Common Man

Amid a lot of furore and speculation, the Railway Budget 2014 was finally announced. Indian railways are used by 23 million passengers daily, and carry over a billion tonnes of freight in a year.

The current rail system is suffering from severe hygiene issues. Over population has also made it impossible for Indians to enjoy leisurely train journeys.

Majority of India, and especially cities like Mumbai depend on rail as an important mode of transport. How will Railway Budget 2014 make a difference to the common man in India ?

Let's find out.

1. Incomplete projects, huge fund requirement

In the last 10 years, 99 new line projects worth Rs.60,000 crore were sanctioned out of which only ONE project has been completed.

2. Railway reservation system to be revamped.

E-ticketing all set to improve to 7200 tickets/minute; so that 1,20,000 users can log in simultaneously.

3. Safety for passengers

17,000 RPF constables to provide safety to passengers. Ladies coaches to be escorted by RPF women constables; additional care will be taken of ladies travelling alone. 4,000 women constables to be recruited to ensure safety of women.

4. Northeast and hilly regions to receive over 5,000 crores

A 54% jump in allocation from last year to provide connectivity to hilly states and Northeast regions.

5. Cleanliness to be focused on

CCTV to keep eye on cleanliness of stations, third party inspections to be introduced.

Bio-toilets in trains to be increased to mitigate direct discharge of human waste on tracks and platform.

6. Bullet Trains to commence in some sectors

Bullet trains to commence on special sectors, beginning with Mumbai-Ahmedabad route.

Semi Bullet trains for Delhi-Kanpur, Delhi-Agra, Chennai-Hyderabad, Nagpur-Bilaspur and Delhi-Pathankot (with speed up to 160 km/h).

7. Special trains for pilgrims

Special trains for pilgrims circuits. Special lines to link pilgrim sites.

Special train to promote life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda.

8. Wi-Fi services to be introduced at all A-class stations.

Office-on-wheels: Internet and workstation facilities on select trains.

9. Quality of food to improve

Propose to introduce ready to cook food from popular brands to improve quality of food served on trains.

10. Better passenger amenities proposed

Proposals of better amenities and passenger services have been made. Foot-over bridges, escalators and lifts.

11. Railway budget for 2014-15

Indian Railways expected to earn Rs. 1.64 lakh crore in 2014-15.

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What is your opinion on the railway budget? Do let us know in the comments below. If you face more problems related to poor public transport, please don't stay mute. Push the Pin now!

** Source – Press Information Bureau, Government of India

Budget 2014 Impact – What’s in it for the common man?

A lot of public service allocations relating to health, defense, infrastructure and other important sectors have been announced. Many crores of rupees have been sanctioned to provide for India's welfare.

While they are extremely vital, the masses are also interested in the immediate changes that come into effect in our daily lives.

Budget 2014 has directly impacted many of us and here's a look at some daily products to see what's cheaper and what's costlier.

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Over 8 lakh pins have already been pushed in India on issues that matter. If you think inflation is also an area of concern, please go ahead and make your voice count. Push the Pin now!

6 things Women Should Know About #Budget2014

Amid a lot of national buzz and frenzy, Budget 2014 is finally out in the open. We’re all eagerly looking forward to see how the country’s funding and expenses now take shape.

The women of India - #PowerOf49 has been waiting with bated breath for news on Budget allocations.

Women’s safety at home and outside of the house, health and sanitation, education and employment are serious concerns in India relating to women. The Powerof49 Manifesto strongly pushed for the concerns of women with senior politicians from three leading parties right before the General Elections 2014 played out.

Many promises and assurances were made. Now the curtain has lifted and the results are out for everyone to see.

In the official document of the Indian Budget, under the category, ‘Women & Child Development’ here are some budget allocations that make a mention:

#Budget2014: What’s in store for women?

• 50 cr for safer transport for women

  50 crores for pilot testing a scheme on "Safety for Women on Public Road Transport".

• 150 cr for safer cities for women

  150 crores to increase the safety of women in large cities.

• 1000 cr - Crisis Centres from pre-exisiting Nirbhaya fund

  Crisis Management Centres" in all the districts of NCT of Delhi in 2014 in government and private hospitals. The Nirbahaya fund was announced by the previous Government soon after the gruesome gangrape and death of a girl in a moving bus in Delhi in December 2012.

• 100 cr Beti Bacho, Beti Padhao

  100 crore to be provided for “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana”, a focused scheme to generate awareness and help in improving the efficiency of delivery of welfare services meant for women.

• Sanitation in girls schools

  Government to provide toilets and drinking water in all the girls schools.

• Gender mainstreaming in schools

  School curriculum to have a separate chapter on gender mainstreaming.

The #PowerOf49 must now reap the benefits!

Here are the official budget allotments to the #Powerof49. Women must now take advantage of the monetary allocations. They must ensure that the precious funds (the tax payer’s money) reach the hands of the concerned authorities, and are put to proper use. We must ensure that we get what we rightly deserve!

What do you think of the #Budget2014 and what’s in store for women of India? Do let us know in your comments below.

*Source: – Government of India