The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Railway budget

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Tuesday, Feb 26, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Railway budget

The Railway Minister has stated that the railways would keep in mind the interests of the poor in framing this year’s rail budget and efforts would be made to improve the comfort levels in the general compartments. The railways could also think of running express trains exclusively with general compartments instead of tagging them here and there to all trains. It will end the agony of those travelling without reservation. True, train fare has not been increased over the years. But, “hidden increases” in the cancellation charge need to be dropped.

G.K.S. Kandasubramanian,

Sivaganga.

At present, second class sleeper berth charges are levied approximately 50 per cent of second class fare. Thus one has to pay 150 per cent of second class fare to reserve a berth. During 80s sleeper berth charges were recovered according to the nights travelled by the passenger. For example, if the journey is completed in one night Rs.20 was levied and if it consists two or three nights Rs.20 per night was charged. I request the Union Railway Minister to adopt the old method of charging for berths during the ensuing budget.

M.S. Raghavan,

Dindigul.

Loans for pensioners

Formerly, pensioners irrespective of their age were granted advances repayable in easy monthly instalments by nationalised banks to meet their medical expenditure on the recommendation of a recognised medical practitioner. It was dropped following the introduction of personal loans being granted now for various purposes.

Pensioners aged above 72 are not eligible to get personal loan as per existing rules of the nationalised banks. It has led to undue hardship to pensioners who have no other source except pension to meet medical expenses. So, banks may grant advances without imposing age limit after obtaining surety from any other pensioner or Government servant operating account in the same branch along with a medical certificate from any one of the reputed medical institutions. In that case, there will be no risk of financial loss to the bank in the event of demise of a pensioner.

V.Govindarajalu,

Sivaganga.

Lighting facility

In Paramakudi, frequent deaths occur due to accident. Last week, a person died in an accident. He was placed in the mortuary room at the Paramakudi Government Hospital. It is shocked to note that there is no light in the mortuary room. The deceased person’s relatives have to identify the body with the help of a candle. I request the authorities concerned to provide light at the mortuary room. In the outer side of the hospital also, there is no lighting facility. Will the authorities provide lights at the Government Hospital.

V.Rajendran,

Paramakudi.

Misuse of offer

The Government has exempted tractors used exclusively for agriculture operations from payment of road tax. But taking shelter under this provision, a lot of tractors are utilised for commercial purposes like carrying sand, bricks and other commodities in the trailer even though such trailers carry the words “for agriculture purpose only” on both sides. Since overweight goods are carried in such vehicles, the chances of accidents are more. I appeal to the law enforcing agencies to check and book those who misuse the tractors for purpose other than agriculture.

Haji Asmbagh Anvardeen,

Ramanathapuram.

Woes of consumers

The power consumers in Ramanathapuram have to go to the office at Sethupathi Nagar, nearly five km away from Ramanathapuram, to pay the charges causing inconvenience to consumers. There is a building at North Street under the control of Ramanathapuram Municipality. I request the Collector to kindly convene a meeting to explore the possibility of keeping a service centre at the unused building.

G.Nagasamy,

Secretary, Consumer Welfare Association, Ramanathapuram.

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