FINANCE MINISTER LAUDS RAILWAYS'
INHERENT STRENGTH AND MODERNISATION DRIVE
Indian Railways,
a very unique transport system of its kind in the world, has tremendous
inherent strength to scale still new heights of excellence and
glory. Sixty per cent of the Indian population is served by the
organization, said Finance Minister Shri Jaswant Singh while releasing
commemorative and currency coins jointly with the Railway Minister
Shri Nitish Kumar here today. Appreciating the recent initiatives
launched by the Railways for modernization and stepped up passenger
amenities the Finance Minister urged the railways to bring out
a well-documented and illustrated book on railways in India during
the last 150 years for the posterity. The Finance Minister said
that the railways were more a public utility service than a commercial
enterprise, indicating continued support of the General Exchequer
to the Railways.
Expressing his gratitude
to Finance Minister for releasing the coins the Railway Minister
Shri Nitish Kumar said that the two rupee coin on railways would
be very useful in purchasing platform tickets through a new system
to be in operation soon. At present the platform ticket is priced
rupees three. The Minister further added that the spontaneous
celebrations of the 150 years of railways across the country reflect
the faith restored in the system by the people of the country.
The Hundred Rupees
coin is commemorative and the Two Rupee is currency coin.
