(a Whether the Railways have increased its freight tariffs for sending fruits/vegetables to the different States recently;
(b) If so, the reasons and justification therefore;
(c) Whether the Railways have received representations from
various quarters for withdrawal of increased freight tariffs; and
(d) If so, the reaction of the Railways thereto?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI R. VELU)
(a) : Yes, Sir.
(b) : Indian Railways have been incurring huge losses in parcel
services due to low rate despite very quick service by passenger carrying
trains and special parcel trains. Increase has been made in the Premier Parcel
Scale rate to reduce the losses and to meet with the increased cost of service.
(c) : Yes, Sir.
(d) : In view of huge loss suffered by Indian Railways on account of
transportation of parcel traffic and increase in cost of operations due
to hike in diesel price it is not possible to reduce the parcel rates of
fruits and vegetables.