'I'm trying to earn revenue by all means possible'

Q&A: Mamata Banerjee

Privatising the railways is not on her agenda. But the minister wants to earn revenue for the government by all means possible, and also do social good. Mamata Banerjee talks of her pet public-private partnership and Vision 2020. Edited excerpts:

In a year of slowdown, you have introduced no fare hike. Why?
The prices of everything — food, milk, travel — are rising, so I thought I would give something to the people of India. So, we have kept fares stable.

You have invited the private sector to invest in Indian Railways. Does that mean you are going to privatise the railways?
I assure you I am not going to privatise Indian Railways. But infrastructure needs investment and I have mooted a new business model, which will be funded by the railways and the private sector. The Prime Minister and the Planning Commission have been supportive in the past. After talking to the Finance Minister and the Planning Commission, we will evolve this new business model, inviting the private sector to develop railway infrastructure, subject to the condition that land and supporting infrastructure are available.

I have decided to set up a special task force to clear proposals for investments within 100 days. Our policy guidelines will be made easy, simple and investment-friendly. In creating infrastructure with private capital, we will create wealth for all, and we will be benchmarked with the best.

What about your proposal of a double-decker train?
Pilot projects are on. It will take another six months.

Where will you get the funding for the socially desirable projects?
It is there in Vision 2020. The Planning Commission will help.

The North Eastern regions continue to be neglected...
Please read the Railway Budget, and then you will not say this.

Are you gifting an opportunity to the private sector by seeking their help in infrastructure development instead of boosting the core competence of the railways?
I don’t agree. The private sector, too, has a responsibility. If they have money, I am asking them to help the government in developing the country. All I am trying to do is earn revenue for the government by all means possible.

Passengers on trains face a lot of law and order problems...
Law and order is a state subject. We have to strengthen our Railway Protection Force (RPF) as an organisation. We need to modernise the RPF and we are giving full support on this. The railways will bring a comprehensive bill to provide security to our passengers.

The CPI(M) thinks you have not done enough to modernise the railways.
With the CPI(M), it is always politics. Everything is political. I have taken a lot of measures for modernisation. But they see things only politically. You should tell them: The Ministry of Railways is not the place to do politics. I have announced that the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, would be further modernised and expanded by installing a second unit to equip it to manufacture a larger number of technologically upgraded coaches from its present level of about 1,500 every year.

Your Railway Budget gives a lot of importance to Rae Bareli, Amethi and Bengal...
Do not humiliate (West) Bengal by parroting this. Your question is totally politically manipulative. I cannot satisfy 800 people (MPs)... I have given wagon industry to Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Guwahati.

The maximum number of projects have been given to other states. West Bengal cannot be left out from development.

Tell me which minister does not take care of his own state? I have not cut one paisa from previous proposals (to other states). All states are my motherland.

You had proposed modernisation of the Delhi railway station. Requests for Qualifications have been cancelled twice. What are you doing about it?
I am calling a meeting with the Lieutenant Governor and Planning Commission.