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

Business Standard

The railway Budget for the coming financial year follows the usual approach of appeasing all sections of the society by providing new passenger services and not raising fares. Being the engine of our growth story, the Indian Railways needs to make huge investments, create capacity and cut operating cost. In a refreshing move, the minister had presented the Vision 2020 document before the parliament in December 2009, which proclaimed to shed the incremental approach of the railways and present a bold vision for the coming decade.

Comment: Abhaya Agarwal

Increase in offtake under various public distribution schemes.

Check leakages to execute food Act efficiently

Railway minister Mamata Banerjee&rsquo;s budget speech was consistently obstructed by Janata Dal (United) MPs who wanted to know the fate of ongoing projects, leaving her irritable.

Mamata's political priorities steer largesse engine

The Economic Survey for 2010-11 sounds an optimistic note in an environment where investors are perceiving near-term risks to India&rsquo;s growth outlook and equity markets have gone down by close to 14 per cent in the last two months echoing those sentiments.

Fiscal deficit reduction to 4.8% is commendable

Indian Railways Finance Corporation to raise Rs 8,842 crore via borrowings.

All 11 PSUs under railways perform well, turn in net profits of Rs 1,782 crore

In a country where self-deprecation is a national pastime, the transcendence of Hindu rate of growth to an average of 8.6% between 2005-06 and 2010-11 is no mean achievement.

The shift from Hindu rate of growth is laudable

Targets to cross Rs 1 lakh-crore mark in gross traffic receipts.

Exchequer loses Rs 1,500 crore due to frequent disruptions

Govt pats its back for peaceful 2010

Operating ratio indicates worsening condition; Sixth Pay Commission resulted in expenditure surge, says Mamata Banerjee.

Weakening financial health laid bare

&ldquo;Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has proposed a two-pronged approach &mdash; focussing on sustainable, efficient and rapidly-growing Indian Railways, balanced by social consideration. Apart from providing concessions for senior citizens, the Budget proposed construction of over 10,000 night shelters, smart card for seamless travel and monthly season ticket for only Rs 25 for travel upto 100 km for poor.

Comment: Ranen Banerjee

The eternal debate on growth versus environment, often faced by developing economies, ran through the Economic Survey 2010-11. The survey has called for setting up of forest land bank to fast track forest clearances.

Caught between growth and green

Gap between savings and investment narrows, but remains wide.

Rates pick up momentum

The Economic Survey has pointed to a rising subsidy burden on account of a global rally in crude oil prices even as the Budget Estimates of 2010-11 (Rs 1,09,092 crore) indicate a decline in subsidy over the provisional estimates of Rs 123,396 crore for 2009-10. The subsidy-to-GDP ratio is also expected to increase due to a higher subsidy of fertilisers and food items.

Burden swelling on crude shock

Survey proposes introduction of two types of banking licences, grading of minimum capital requirements.

Door open for corporate houses

Survey ignores RBI&rsquo;s discomfort, says such products play a huge role in financial inclusion.

Teaser home loans get support

Microfinance institutions have finally got some support, with the Survey defending the high interest rates charged by them.

Charge high rates, but be transparent, MFIs told

The insurance regulator is expected to announce norms in 30-45 days.

Strict disclosure guidelines for insurance IPOs

Crowding out by government, lack of FII participation main concerns.

No alternative to vibrant corporate bond market

&ldquo;We see progress on FDI in multi-brand retail from the government&rsquo;s side. There is an intention.

Economic Survey: Kishore Biyani

PPP (public-private-partnership) projects is a subject on which railway minister Mamata Banerjee has again sounded optimistic.

Renewed optimism on PPP projects

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