Lalu's Chak De! Budget cuts fares, freight rates

WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY: Railways Minister Lalu Prasad has given students ticket concessions.

    

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Lalu began his Budget by placating Opposition MP from Karnataka who alleged that he had made offensive remarks against their state.

"I have made a prime minister from Karnataka," the minister said amid laughter, referring to the support he gave to H D Deve Gowda in forming a government.

"This budget will mark the beginning of our vision for Indian Railways over the next 25 years. We will take Indian Railways to new heights - make it the world's best," he said a few hours before his scheduled speech.

With elections due in a series of states and general elections due in a year's time, expectations were once again high for a people-friendly rail Budget, which had been Lalu Prasad's mantra on the previous four occasions.

Earlier both Houses were adjourned minutes after Opposition members demanded a discussion on distressed farmers committing suicide.

Lalu, who has reached Parliament, was to begin his Budget speech at 1100 hrs, IST. With polls due in a series of states and general elections due in a year's time, expectations were once again high for a people-friendly rail budget, which had been Lalu Prasad's mantra on the previous four occasions.

“Railways is the lifeline of this country and meant for the common man. When I sit down to make the Budget my first priority is the common man. In my past four Budgets I have always kept the aam aadmi (common man) in mind,” he told CNN-IBN before leaving for Parliament.