Lok Sabha
Based on the information regarding production of Gypsum in Rajasthan, as obtained from the Ministry of Coal and Mines, for the four years’ period from 1999-2000 to 2002-2003, the percentage quantum of Gypsum transported by the Railways during this period works out to around 38 per cent.
In the Railway Budget 2003-2004, a single uniform Class-120 for trainloads and Class-125 for wagonloads was assigned to Gypsum in all its physical forms such as lumps, powder and moulds as against the earlier classification ranging from Class-120 to Class-125 for trainloads and Class-125 to Class-130 for wagonloads. In the Railway Budget 2004-2005, the freight rates for Gypsum have not been increased despite increase in Railways’ working expenses.
In reply to another question, the Minister said that Railway freight charges for imported as well as indigenous limestone are the same and have not been increased since 2002-2003.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri R. Velu in a written reply to a question from Shri Girdhari Lal Bhargva in the Lok Sabha today.
(Release ID :2702)