Govrnment privatizing railways by stealth, claims Congress

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NEW DELHI, Dec 30, 2014: Congress has termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assertion that railways would not be privatized as bluff, saying that it is already headed for it in view of the Union Cabinet's green signal to 100% FDI in railways.

"The government is privatizing Indian Railways by stealth, by no transparency. Without calling it privatization, it is privatizing every aspect of the railways. Only the driver that runs the engine will remain a government servant. But rest is all privatized," said Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

Singhvi termed the move as yet another "somersault" by BJP, arguing that Modi government's actions at present are not in sync with the promises its leaders made on the campaign trail in the run-up to the general elections and soon after taking over at Centre.

Congress leader said Modi's strong pitch for privatization in railways in March 2013 contradicts his statement made in Varanasi this month that ruled out its privatization.

"The government's stand on Indian Railways is another addition to its list of U-turns as there is contradiction between what Modi said in his campaign, what he said after coming into power, and what he is saying at present," he said.

Accusing Modi of "trying to pull wool over the eyes of people" and making "casual and irresponsible" statements on the issues of privatization in railways, Singhvi said the time has come that Congress releases another booklet on "U-turns" of the government.

Courtesy: The Times of India