New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) The ruling BJP hailed Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu's budget for 2015-16 Thursday calling it "reformist" and "revolutionary" but opposition Congress questioned how the resources for the reforms will be generated while coalition partner Shiv Sena was also not satisfied.
"This is the first time a reformist budget has been brought for railways," Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari told reporters.
"Latest technology will be used in railways to upgrade it and make it safe. The reforms in railway will also generate more employment and boost make in India programme," he said.
Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar called it a revolutionary budget.
"This is a revolutionary budget. It is people-centric and incorporates the vision of the prime minister to completely revamp the railways. The railway minister has come up with some technology-oriented services that would not only ensure transparency but is also user-friendly," Javadekar said.
Congress however questioned how the government will raise the necessary resources.
"The budget is high on promises but does not talk how the resources will be generated," Congress' leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said after the budget was presented.
On the same lines, party leader Shashi Tharoor said while the ideas were "fine", there were no specifics.
"The railway budget has some very fine ideas but no specifics. What is the revenue source for the reforms, there is no credible plan," he said.
"The gap between rhetoric and results is the biggest concern. There is no specific information on how the promises will be delivered. If there is no hike in fare, where will revenue come from?" he asked.
National Democratic Alliance (NDA) constituent Shiv Sena was also critical.
"We are completely dissatisfied with the budget. They have said so many things in the budget. But from where will the money come?" party MP Gajanan Kirtikar said.
Another NDA constituent Shiromani Akali Dal said the budget was good, but added that there was no announcements for the states.
"The philosophy of the budget reflects the prime minister's vision. It is a good budget but there are no announcements for the states,"said party MP Prem Singh Chandumajra.
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh meanwhile praised the budget.
"This is a good job. He (Prabhu) has not announced new schemes and promised that he will focus on executing past measures. If he succeeds in doing so, it will be a huge accomplishment," he told reporters.
Modi delighted at release of Father Alexis in Afghanistan
New Delhi, Feb 22 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday said he was delighted at the relea
Turkish President Erdogan will visit Saudi Arabia, stir in West Asia
Ottoman Empire troops had previously attacked and destroyed the Saudi state capital Diriyah and t
Two killed, 10 injured in Jammu terror attack
Jammu, March 20 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh on Friday said two
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee left for Delhi on Monday (December 5) to attend the G2
The Haryana government has declared black fungus as a notified disease. Health Minister Anil Vij
The Roman Catholic Church in Kerala is divided into a Sunday practice of Holy Mass. Violent prote
Australia opt to bat against India
Sydney, March 26 (IANS) Australia captain Michael Clarke won the toss and opted to bat against
Kyrgyz Republic: Jaishankar wishes the people of Kyrgyz Republic on their 31st Independence Day
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday greeted the government and people of the Kyrg
Air pollution levels in the national capital, Delhi, continue to remain alarming. According to th
Corona's awe: Haridwar Mahakumbh, divided between each other, BJP and VHP remain silent
In Haridwar, Uttarakhand, Prime Minister Modi appealed to the common people to keep the news of t
