Mamta,Lalu and Indian Railways

Lalu was hailed as India's best Railway Minister.His Desi wisdom earned him admirers all over the world.undoubtedly he was the most popular Railway Minister.Indian Railways is the world's largest employer.It employs 1.6 million heads.In 2004 when Lalu took over as Railway Minister ,Indian Railways was almost bankrupt.But in 5 years time Lalu with his ingenuity made it a cash surplus organisation.The turnaround made by Indian Ralways, under Lalu's stewardship was made a case study for its students by IIM,Ahmedabad.Lalu's rustic wisdom said " Milk the cow fully,lest it would fall sick". His out of the box ideas were carried out by competent officers.He increased the wagon loads from 80 Metric tons to 90 Metric tons.This generated additional revenue of over 7500 crores.Delgation of powers was at its best during Lalu's regime.He took calculated risks.He decided a passenger train would be inspected and examined only after 3500 KMs and a freight train after 4500 KMs against the earlier practice of inspection after every trip.This made trains available for longer duration,and generated extra trips and extra revenue.Earlier for every inspection Railways took 16 hours after each trip.Lalu handled the Tatkal scheme in a different perspective.It turned out to be a money spinner for Railways and earned over 1000 crores.When the Tatkal scheme was introduced for the first time , there would be a single separate Tatkal coach per train.In otherwords a small number of berths were earmarked for those who could not reserve in advance and want to travel urgently.But this facility was available at a slightly higher cost.But Lalu changed the Tatkal scheme also.He permitted Tatkal booking in regular coaches also.This means those who can afford to pay more could book on Tatkal quota in regular coaches.He also allowed Tatkal booking 5 days before travel date.Railways charged a premium of RS 150 to Rs 300 on every Tatkal ticket booked.But all this was done at the expense of general quota tickets.It surely was a great disadvantage to the common man.But for railways it was a money spinner.It earned greater revenues for Railways.It was essentially a business decision,but against the common man.Now it seems Mamta is all set to reverse this.She might revert back to the old Tatkal scheme.She might also reduce the number of days permitted for Tatkal booking.In principle,Mamta's perspective is correct and is in the interest of the common man.But Railways would lose a considerable chunk of their income generated from Tatkal.Mamta has already indicated her budget would be pro people.But if implemented Railways earnings would surely drop.It is already reported that there is a drop in the freight earnings of Railways.One fervently hopes the Railways does not become RED again.Those days when the federal budgets are presented Mr.Palkiwala used to give his budget analysis.These speeches were delviered only in big metros.Once he delivered his budget analysis lecture at Lakshmi Sundaram Hall in Madurai.I was fortunate to hear his speech then.I am now reminded of what he said about 'budgets' then.He said 'budget is an annual exercise where economics is defeated at the hands of politics.'

Race for the saddle

On June 2nd the world will know about the next Indian Prime minister.Though it is too early to predict the outcome,there are too many aspiring Prime ministerial candidates form a host of parties.This includes some regional parties also.Who will don the PM's mantle is a million dollar question.Notwithstanding the uncertainites of the poll outcome,given below is a list of possible PM aspirants .

BJP is projecting L.K.Advani as its PM candidate.As of now Advani is the only potential PM candidate from BJP.In fact BJP's entire campaign is pivoted around the theme 'For a strong PM,vote for BJP'.

Like Last elections, Congress is not projecting any one,as its prospective PM candidate.This has nothing to do with the fact that the PM is recuperating after a surgery.PM being a Rajya Sabha member will continue to be a sitting member of the Rajya Sabha until 2010.In case, the UPA manages to secure a majority to form the government,Congress could decide one way or the other.(choose a potenetial candidate from its Lok sabha members or continue with Manmohan singh).However there could be hardcore sycophants in Congress, who would want Sonia Gandhi to assume the PM's mantle.An equal number of youth congress men could vie with fellow congresmen in favour of Rahul Gandhi also.The unfortunate guy in the Congress would be its 'All Purpose Man' Pranab Mukherji.But if Pranab becomes a surprise candidate, it could be a marvel.No doubt Pranab is a competent candidate to be the Prime Minister.

The alternate front(third front) comprising Leftists,TDP,JD(s),AIADMK,BSP,TRS etc also have Prime Ministerail aspirants.The foremost among them is BSP's Mayawati.She does not in any way hold back her aspirations.She has vociferously voiced her thoughts on this.But the constituents of the third fornt have decided not to name any potential PM candidate until the elections are over.This decision is only to appease others in the front, who have similar aspirations.Obviously they don't want the front to break before the elections on the question of declaring the prospective PM.The implied threat is from the AIADMK supremo Jayalalitha.She is also nursing Prime ministerial ambitions.In the event of a fractured mandate, she is capable of doing a hard bargain and achieve her goals.Leftists apparently want a say in deciding the Potential PM from third fornt,should things move to such a situation.CPM committed a blunder years ago forefeiting a PM's chance to Jyoti Basu.Prakash Karat has gone on record this time,in case third front assumes power,CPM might join the government.Does it mean he has some trumpcards up his sleeve?Does the PB of the communist party want to do some amends to its earlier folly?Though Chandrababu Naidu and Devagowda have said they are not in the race,one gets the feeling that the wily Gowda would be hoping, that in case of difference of opinions among third front parties over agreeing to a common candidate,history could repeat itself and he could becme a compromise candidate once again.

Apart from the three major political fronts there are a host of other PM aspirants from other parties also.Some people have expressed it overtly also.People like Sharad Pawar,Mulyam Singh Yadav,Ram Vilas Paswan and Lalu Yadav have also expressed their desire to be the PM at one time or the other in their political career.Anything can happen in politics.There could be dark horses emerging form nowhere.Whatever it is,the stewardship of the nation should rest in the hands of a safe,able,competent,efficient and qualified Prime Minister.