New Delhi, February 24 Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has in her Railway Budget 2010 presented in Lok Sabha on February 24 declared to continue the extension of students’ concessions to madrasas, higher madrasas and senior madrasas as made in her 2009 Budget, besides raising special women railway security forces, named “Mahila Vahini”, preferably from minorities, SCs/ STs, OBCs and economically backward classes.

She also declared that no examination fee would be charged from women, minority and economically backward class candidates for Railway Recruitment Boards’ examinations. Besides, question papers now would be made available in local state languages besides Hindi, Urdu and English.

She said: “Security of women passengers will be improved by raising 12 companies of women RPF personnel to be named ‘Mahila Vahini’. RPSF will also be strengthened. Priority will be given to women especially those belonging to minorities, SC/ST, OBC, and economically backward classes.”

Presenting her second budget as Railway Minister in the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre, Mamata Banerjee, who is also leader of Trinamool Congress, presented a populist railway budget with no hike in passenger fares and freight tariffs besides more than 100 new trains.

Also See
Highlights of Rail Budget 2010