The railway ministry has denied the Business Standard report (April 8) that the 12 per cent hike in freight rates proposed in the 1997-98 railway budget is being applied to essential commodities, as well, from April 1.
The ministry asserts that 15 essential commodities, including grains, pulses, salt, sugar, fruits, vegetables and hydrocarbon are exempt from the budget freight hike. The ministry stand, however, seems to be at variance with the actions of line staffers.
The Business Standard report was based on notices from the Central Railway (produced alongside) to business houses drawing their attention to the hike of 12 per cent (see handwritten clarification on the side) in the freight charge of wheat (3rd line from top) from April 1 (handwritten note on bottom left). The note has been signed by the Foods Inspector, Wadi Bandar, and is on the Central Railway letterhead. Attempts by the paper to get a clarification from the Central Railway on whether the notice had been withdrawn proved futile. For obvious reasons, the name of the business house sent the notice has been blanked out.