ACTION PLAN FOR AUGMENTING RAILWAYS EARNINGS
Indian Railways have
worked out an Action Plan to augment earnings and contain expenditure.
It envisages
rationalization of freight structure and flexible tariff to counter
the market competition, running of new trains and extension of
various mail and express trains to cater to the passenger traffic
across the country, and continuous drive against ticketless travel.
Other measures
under the Action Plan include delegation of more powers to General
Managers of Zonal Railways in respect of ‘Station to Station’
rates, drive for realization of outstanding dues, better manpower
management for improvement in per capita productivity and energy
conservation.
Some other measures
include efficient utilization of assets, reduction in equipment
failure, stringent financial and budgetary control through the
mechanism of fixation of spending limits, monthly budget proportion
and control in cash outgo, besides, austerity in areas of hospitality,
publicity and advertisements.
The target of
gross traffic receipts in the Budget 2003-2004 is Rs. 43,495 crores
including Rs. 50 crores on account of traffic suspense.
The approximate
total earnings during the first seven months of the current fiscal
year ending October 2003, are Rs. 23,969 crores, constituting
55.17 per cent of gross earnings target.
