DHNS
Bangalore, Feb 27: The reduction of fares across the board, increase in concession for women senior citizens and free monthly passes for students have gone down very well with Bangaloreans. Here is what they had to say.
Greeshma, hardware engineer, N Vidia Graphics: The budget is good. The free seasonal passes for women students up to graduation level and boys up to 12th standard seems good. I am glad about the introduction of two more Garib Raths as my parents travelled by one of them and were pleased with the comfort.
Nanjunde, office assistant at an auditor’s office: The reduction in fares and concessions given to women is good. I feel concession should be given to people from backward regions.
Nagaraj, a State government driver: I think it is the best budget I have seen so far. The allocation made for Sixth Pay Commission is what I really like. Lalu has a soft corner for lower classes. I remember Jaffer Sharief doing a lot during his tenure as railway minister and Lalu Prasad Yadav is doing it now.
Sadhana, product group engineer, DEL India: The reduction of fares is good for all of us. But I hope it does not reduce the quality of service.
Prasoon, technical support engineer, New Gen Software, BTM Layout: Without effecting an increase in anything, Lalu has managed to create profits for Railways. I also do not believe he is anti-Karnataka as has been portrayed.
Permanent jobs
The licensed porters at railway stations have something to rejoice. The budget has announced their appointment as gangmen and other ‘D’ group posts on a one-time basis after due screening.
Says Abdul Karim, leader of the licensed coolies at city station: The idea to give us permanent jobs is a good one. There are other things we require badly, like a room for us in each station. We also hope to have a school for our children.
Balachander, a porter: It will only be the educated among us who will get into these posts. Also, the younger group will be given the jobs. What will happen to the elderly among us?