(a) whether a section of Railway employees union have opposed the Government’s move to allow FDI and private capital in the Indian Railways and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(b) the present status of the implementation of reforms in the Indian Railways?
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU)
(a) & (b): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) AND (b) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 277 BY SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL AND SHRI B.N. CHANDRAPPA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 16.03.2016 REGARDING FDI AND PRIVATE CAPITAL IN RAILWAYS
(a): Yes, Madam. Two recognized Railway Staff Federations have some reservations about Foreign Direct Investment in Railways.
It has been clarified that Foreign Direct Investment has been permitted in specified areas to attract additional investment and does not entail privatization of Railways.
(b): The steps taken for reforms include delegation of powers, empowerment of General Managers and Divisional Railway Managers, simplifications of system and procedures, process improvements using Information Technology, fast tracking of project approvals, innovative and alternate financing mechanism, partnership with State Governments and industry for project implementation etc.
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