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Immediately withdraw 20% railway freight hike imposed before rail budget: CM to PM

Published By : Admin | March 7, 2012 | 14:57 IST

Gujarat CM sends letter to PM against railway freight fare hike, fourth letter in two week

“Withdraw immediately 20% hike in Railway freight fare imposed on public just before Railway Budget”: Narendra Modi asks Dr Singh

Gandhinagar, Wednesday: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has in a letter to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today expressed his strong indignation at the Centre’s sudden decision to hike the Railways freight fare by a whopping 20 per cent through backdoor, just a week before the Railway Budget, diminishing the supremacy of the Parliament

Mr. Modi demanded immediate withdrawal of the unnerving hike, as it would cause an unprecedented burden on the common man and indirectly on the nation’s economy.

“Was the Central Government waiting for the results of the elections to five State Assemblies to impose an anti-people and anti-farmer policy?” he pointedly asked Dr. Singh.

He described the hike highly unjustified since the prices of a number of commodities, are already ruling at a much higher level than people’s tolerance limits. The freight rationalization would entail a jerk of Rs350 per tonne on food grains and fertilizers. The decision also reflects huge communication gap between the Ministries of Railway, Energy, Coal and Environment. This is despite the Prime Minister’s constituting a high-level committee for coordination.

Mr. Modi said that Gujarat will be most hit on the coal front, because the coalfields are far away. He said that rise in railway freight fare since 2006 has caused an additional burden of Rs.19,000-crore on Gujarat, on just one commodity. The latest hike would coast another Rs.300-crore on power generation.

The Chief Minister recalled that he had in a letter sent to the Prime Minister on February 11, 2008 pointed out that Gujarat got only nine lakh tonnes of coal through coal linkages from Western Coalfields, and the rest from farther away Southeastern Coalfields of inferior quality at higher prices, as against an annual requirement of 174-lakh tonnes. Instead of solving the problem all these year, he regretted, the Centre has been increasing the coal and prices as well as railway freight.

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PM highlights Nari Shakti's transformative role in the journey towards a developed India
June 08, 2025
QuoteOver the last 11 years, the NDA Government has redefined women-led development: PM
QuoteVarious initiatives, from ensuring dignity through Swachh Bharat to financial inclusion via Jan Dhan accounts, the focus has been on empowering our Nari Shakti: PM

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has highlighted the transformative role played by women in the journey towards a developed India, underlining the government’s focus on women-led development over the past 11 years.

The Prime Minister said that our mothers, sisters and daughters have seen times when they had to face difficulties at every step. But today they are not only participating actively in the resolution of a developed India, but are also setting examples in every field from education to business. Shri Modi further added that the successes of Nari Shakti in the last 11 years are a matter of pride for all citizens.

The Prime Minister noted that the NDA Government has redefined women-led development through a series of impactful initiatives. These include ensuring dignity through the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, financial inclusion via Jan Dhan accounts, and empowerment at the grassroots level.

He cited Ujjwala Yojana as a milestone that brought smoke-free kitchens to several homes. He also highlighted how MUDRA loans have enabled lakhs of women to become entrepreneurs and pursue their dreams independently. The provision of houses in women’s names under the PM Awas Yojana has also made a remarkable impact on their sense of security and empowerment.

The Prime Minister also recalled the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, which he described as a national movement to protect the girl child.

Shri Modi affirmed that in all sectors- including science, education, sports, StartUps, and the armed forces-women are excelling and inspiring several people.

The Prime Minister shared these remarks through a series of posts on X;

"हमारी माताओं-बहनों और बेटियों ने वो दौर भी देखा है, जब उन्हें कदम-कदम पर मुश्किलों का सामना करना पड़ता था। लेकिन आज वे ना सिर्फ विकसित भारत के संकल्प में बढ़-चढ़कर भागीदारी निभा रही हैं, बल्कि शिक्षा और व्यवसाय से लेकर हर क्षेत्र में मिसाल कायम कर रही हैं। बीते 11 वर्षों में हमारी नारीशक्ति की सफलताएं देशवासियों को गौरवान्वित करने वाली हैं।

#11YearsOfSashaktNari"

"Over the last 11 years, the NDA Government has redefined women-led development.
Various initiatives, from ensuring dignity through Swachh Bharat to financial inclusion via Jan Dhan accounts, the focus has been on empowering our Nari Shakti. Ujjwala Yojana brought smoke-free kitchens to several homes. MUDRA loans enabled lakhs of women entrepreneurs to pursue dreams on their own terms. Houses under the women’s name in PM Awas Yojana too have made a remarkable impact.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao ignited a national movement to protect the girl child.

In all sectors, including science, education, sports, StartUps and the armed forces, women are excelling and inspiring several people.

#11YearsOfSashaktNari"