Trade unions are mostly averse to changing their top order. In at least two of the five leading central trade unions, elections are due in 2011, while in others, it is a year or two later. But, there has been a second rung that has been supporting the unions, often for too long. These are the vice-presidents and secretaries (often the latter), who do the bulk of the work.

It's the second rung that flies the flag at trade unions

Business Standard

The UPA government looks set to give the contract a decent burial and, in turn, redeem Isro and itself.

Devas deal explodes on Isro's launch pad

Survey also calls for enhanced public investment.

Need R&D revival to promote manufacturing

The cover diagram may kick off another debate.

A statement on economic governance

Will reduce land acquisition requirement by 2,718 acres and save Rs 300 crore.

Railway land bank to be used

The target for sundry earnings has been increased to Rs 3,530.34 crore in 2010-2011 on account of development of railway land from the budgeted target of Rs 3,170.81 crore.

Sundry earnings likely to touch Rs 4,060 cr in FY12

&ldquo;The economic survey portrays a very optimistic picture that the Indian economy is on the march.

Economic Survey: Ajit Gulabchand

&ldquo;The Economic Survey has projected strong growth for the next financial year. The other strong statement is that FDI in multi-brand retail will be permitted gradually.

Economic Survey: Adi Godrej

New portal for e-ticketing will be launched shortly.

Pan-India card to make travel smarter

A tough job ahead is to make inroads in traditional areas like tourism and shipping.

Resilience brightens services outlook

At Rs 14,120 crore, allocation to rise by a measly 0.07 per cent from last year.

Scrimps on rolling stock replacement

The Economic Survey 2010-11 has called for innovative solutions to address the growing infrastructure deficit that is hurting economic growth. It said financing infrastructure would be a big challenge: India needs to invest $1,025 billion in the Twelfth Plan (2012-17) and half of this should come from the private sector.

Core gap requires innovative solutions

Even as Mamata Banerjee did not announce any across-the-board increase in fares in the Railway Budget on Friday, the railways have projected an increase in passenger earnings by over 16.5 per cent to Rs 30,456 crore.

Railways project 16.5% rise in earnings

Higher surplus, traffic receipts &amp; govt support to fund plan expansion rise.

Railways say financing is in order

Indian Railways all set to add 29,000 employees in the coming financial year, including 16,000 ex-servicemen.

Largest employer to go headhunting

However, the minister did not provide any incentive to attract freight loading.

Revenue expected to increase 10%

Public-private partnerships can help fill the gap between the available resources in social sectors.

Making India a global education hub

The Economic Survey for 2010-11 confirms a relatively optimistic picture of the Indian economy. It is a statutory report card presented to Parliament and says that growth is near 9 per cent, and likely to accelerate next year.

Inflation, fiscal consolidation major challenges for govt

Public at large, especially in West Bengal, would not have been disappointed at keeping the fares unchanged and the concessions announced for senior citizens, girl children of Group D employees etc. Initiatives to draw attention towards the northeast and Jammu &amp; Kashmir, including a non-lapsable fund for the northeast, were needed since long. If marketed efficiently, the tourist trains which have been introduced would be a boom to tourists as well as the railways .

Comment: R N Malhotra

While the overall GDP has grown by 8.62% during 2004-05 to 2010-11, farm GDP has increased by only 3.46%.

Supply mgmt, investments key to 4% growth

A run-of-the-mill Budget in which most projects and initiatives announced are mere repetitions from the previous editions. With a marginally improved surplus, the finance managers of the Indian Railways would have us believe they have begun reviving its fortunes. However, the truth remains that on a sustained basis, they are starving the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), with disastrous consequences for safe train operations.

Comment: R Sivadasan, Former Finance Commissioner

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