(a) whether the development fund and capital fund in Indian Railways are adequate; and
(b) if not, the details of measures taken for mobilising the funds?
(a) whether the development fund and capital fund in Indian Railways are adequate; and
(b) if not, the details of measures taken for mobilising the funds?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI DIGVIJAY SINGH)
(a) & (b): The position under both these funds has been affected consequent upon the
implementation of the recommendations of the Fifth Central Pay Commission. Railways are
taking steps to both control expenditure and increase revenues. Measures have been taken
to control expenditure by improving staff productivity, asset utilisation, inventory
management, fuel consumption and by ensuring austerity in areas such as travel, publicity,
hospitality etc. Concurrently earnings are expected to improve with increased economic
activity coupled with aggressive marketing and improved services. Non-traditional sources
of revenue such as leasing of railways` right of way for Optic Fibre Cable communication,
commercial utilisation of railway land and air space, advertising rights at stations and
on rolling stock etc. are also planned to be tapped. Besides, efforts are also being made
to curb leakage of revenue and pilferages.