RAIL BUDGET 2016 KEY FACTS

RAIL BUDGET 2016 HIGHLIGHTS

* Expect saving of Rs 8,720 this year

* Operating ratio at 92% FY17 as against 90% in current year

* Traffic revenue target at Rs Rs 1.85 lakh crore

* Capital plan of Rs 1.21 lakh crore

* Expect revenue growth of over 10% this year

* Rs 8,720 crore saving in fuel cost like power

* Commission 2,800km of new tracks in next year, almost 30% higher than last year

* Rs 8.5 lakh crore to be spent over 5 years for modernization of railway infrastructure

* Generate Rs 9 crore mandays in FY17-18, Rs 14 crore mandays in FY18-19

* Railway electrification increased by 50%; 2,000km route to be electrified next fiscal

* Completely paperless contract system in 2016-17

* WiFi in 100 stations this year and 400 other stations next year

* Railways to get Rs 40,000 crore budgetary support from the government

* Rs 30,000 crore is the loss on subsidizing passenger fares

* 20% less accidents this year

* To have CCTV surveillance at all stations, 300 major stations covered this year

* Enhanced capacity of e-ticketing system - from 2000 tickets a minute to 7200 a minute (to support 120,000 concurrent users)

* 44 new projects valued at Rs 92,714 crore to be implemented this year

* 2 locomotive factories at the cost of Rs 40,000 crore to be set up

* 17 states agree to form JVs with Indian Railways for construction of rail-over-bridges

* 124 MPs have committed to contribute from MPLADS for passenger amenities

* 400 stations to be re-developed through PPP

* Overnight double-decker train Uday Express to be introduced on busiest routes, carrying capacity to be increased 40% more

* Lower berth quota for senior citizens to be increased by 50%

* Will introduce sub-quota of 33% for women in each of the reserved categories in catering

* Three direct services, fully air-conditioned Humsafer, to travel at 130km per hour

* To introduce 20,000 screen rail display network for passing info to passengers and huge advertising potential

* Aim to generate 10-20% of revenues from non-tariff sources over next 5 years by monetising assets

* Models to determine revenue potential of at least 20 stations in next 3 months

* 17,000 additional bio-toilets to be provided by the end of current fiscal

* 2,800km of broad gauge track conversion envisaged

* 7km of broad gauge lines to be commissioned every day during 2016-17

* Hope to commission 19km of new broad gauge track every day by 2018-19

* Direct procurement of diesel to help save Rs 1,500 crore in 2016-17

* Rs 50 crore to be provided for startups by railway employees

* LIC to fund Rs 1.5 lakh crore over five years on favourable terms

25,26 FEB 2016

E-Tourist Visa Scheme extended to 37 more countries 


The Union Government has extended e-Tourist Visa Scheme to 37 more countries. With this, the total count of countries under the scheme will become 150. The new countries included in e-Tourist Visa scheme are Austria, Albania, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Comoros, Cote d’lvoire, Cape Verde,  Czech Republic, Croatia, Eritrea, Denmark, Gabon, Greece, Guinea, Gambia, Ghana,  Madagascar, Malawi, Iceland, Lesotho, Liberia, San Marino, Moldova, Namibia, Romania, South Africa, Swaziland, Switzerland, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, Trinidad & Tobago, Tajikistan, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Lok Sabha passes Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2016 

 Lok Sabha has passed Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2016 to grant voting rights to people who became citizens of India following the exchange of enclaves between India and Bangladesh. The bill seeks to amend the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1950 and the Delimitation Act, 2002. These Acts regulate allocation of seats to the Lok Sabha and state legislatures and delimitation (fixing boundaries) of parliamentary and state assembly constituencies.

Rajendra Singh appointed as DG of Coast Guard 

 

The Union Government has appointed Rajendra Singh as the Director General (DG) of Indian Coast Guard (ICG), country’s coastal protection force. With this appointment, Rajendra Singh becomes first DG of ICG from its own internal cadre since it was set up in 1978. So far this top post was only held by officers who were commissioned in the Indian Navy. He will replace Vice Admiral HCS Bisht who has been promoted as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command.

Union Government appoints 3 Information commissioners of CIC 

The Union Government has appointed three Information Commissioners at the Central Information Commission (CIC). They were administered the oath of office by Chief Information Commissioner Radha Krishna Mathur. With their induction, for the first time CIC has full strength i.e. the total number of Information Commissioners including the CIC has gone up to 11. Their appointments have been made for a term of five years or till they turn 65. Appointees are 
Amitava Bhattacharya: He is retired IAS officer who had served Chairman of the Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
 Bimal Julka: He is retired IAS officer who had served as Information & Broadcasting Secretary.
 Divya Prakash Sinha: He is retired IPS officer and counter-terror veteran who had served as Secretary (security) at the Cabinet Secretariat.

Goverdhan Mehta awarded Germany’s Cross of the Order of Merit 



Chemical scientist and well-known researcher Goverdhan Mehta has been conferred with Germany’s prestigious Cross of the Order of Merit (Bundesverdienstkreuz) Award. The award was bestowed upon him by Achim Fabig, German Consul General in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.







Yes Bank wins inaugural Green Bond Award in UK 


India’s leading private lender Yes Bank has been awarded inaugural Green Bond Pioneer Award at a ceremony held in London, United Kingdom. Yes Bank was bestowed with this award in recognition for its pioneering efforts in the Green Bonds market including successful issuance of India’s first ever Green Infrastructure Bonds.






GVK Bio awarded Global CSR Excellence & Leadership Award 




Hyderabad-based GVK Biosciences (GVK BIO) has been awarded prestigious Global CSR Excellence & Leadership Award. The company was bestowed with this award in the category of Best Environment Friendly Project for its ambitious Go Green, Grow Green plantation drive under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.