NEW DELHI: Acceding to the request of industrial representatives, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad on Thursday announced that the Government had decided to defer the 10 per cent surcharge on the carriage of goods on mini-rake and two-point rakes in the railways.

He also announced that the 30 per cent discount on incremental loading on `empty flow' trains till March 2010 would be calculated on the basis of 2005-06 loading. He invited steel, cement and other companies to sign a long-term agreement with the railways and assured them that they would be provided rakes even during peak hours. Mr. Prasad said it had been decided that all complaints would be settled within three months.

On the issue of five per cent discount given under the Engine on Load scheme, Mr. Prasad said a similar plan was being considered for development and modernisation of unloading terminals.

Talking to the media on the sidelines of his meeting with industry representatives, Mr. Prasad said the railways was considering leasing terminals, which were lying unused or had little traffic, to companies but on condition they provide a definite traffic guarantee.

"I invite all the customers, particularly from steel and cement, to select such terminals and inform the respective zones or the Railway Board within 15 days for timely action,'' he said.

To provide more facilities to small units, Mr. Prasad said, the railways had permitted loading more than one commodity in a single train under the multi-commodity loading scheme.

Mr. Prasad further stated the railways had decided that any decision on the freight discount scheme would be taken by the zonal administration within two months. To remove complaints regarding claims and refunds, it had been decided to organise special camps in all zones in the first week of every quarter. The general managers would ensure that such claims and refunds did not remain pending for more than three months. "With the help of its customers, the railways will be able to increase freight loading from 726 million tonnes in 2006-07 to 1,150 million tonnes during the next five years,'' he said.

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