Rahul Gandhi Criticizes Railways’ Policies as Favoring the Affluent Minority Over Common People’s Needs

New Delhi, 03-03-2024 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the government’s approach towards framing policies for the Indian Railways, alleging that they were designed with only the affluent in mind. In a Hindi post on X, Gandhi expressed his concern that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies were alienating the common people, particularly those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Gandhi pointed out that despite a 10% annual increase in fares, along with additional charges for dynamic pricing and cancellations, the government was promoting an image of luxury trains inaccessible to the poor. He highlighted the burden placed on senior citizens, who reportedly lost exemptions worth Rs 3,700 crore over three years. Moreover, he lamented the neglect of ordinary passenger trains to prioritize those chosen for publicity.

According to Gandhi, the government’s emphasis on increasing air-conditioned coaches at the expense of general ones further marginalized laborers, farmers, students, and the working class. He criticized the decision to triple the production of AC coaches while reducing the availability of standard ones. Gandhi also accused the government of discontinuing the practice of presenting a separate Railway Budget as a ploy to conceal its actions.

Conclusively, Gandhi asserted that the railways’ policies favored the affluent minority, constituting a betrayal of the 80% of India’s population reliant on its services. He cautioned against placing trust in Prime Minister Modi, branding it as a “guarantee of betrayal.”