Title - Minister embarrassed over Double Decker Exp fares

Fares to be charged for MP’s first Double Decker Express caused an embarrassing situation for minister of state for railways Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary who accepted that the fares set by the railways officials are not practical and would be amended in future.The railways charge Rs 290 for seven- km distance between Habibganj and Bhopal for travelling on the train. Surprisingly, the same fare is being charged for 149- km distance between Habibganj and Maksi railway station.In a press conference, Chaudhary said this was not practical and he would talk to the railway officials in that regard. The train was run on trial basis. So, the official sources said charges were fixed on the basis of the railway rules and minimum fare for 150- km journey on an airconditioned train.The railway will charge Rs 355 for 224- km distance between Habibganj and Indore for travelling via Maksi- Dewas and Rs 390 for 263- km distance via Ujjain.The minister said the financial condition of the railways does not permit it to run this train on the basis of different fares. Despite that, the UPA government launched several projects.In the last budget, 19 new trains which pass through Madhya Pradesh were run. Also, projects worth Rs 4,000 crore are in operation in MP.

Railway MoS walks out of press conference::Minister of state for railways Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary left the press conference venue at MP Congress Committee office in an abrupt manner after he was asked about arrest warrant issued against him by local court in West Bengal on the charges of murder of Trinmool Congress worker.The minister only said, ” The previous CPM government framed several false cases against me and I have been acquitted of all cases and now the present government of Trinmool Congress has filed false case against me.” As per the report, the court issued arrest warrant against the minister for murder of one Qalam Shaikh, a Trinmool Congress worker in the 2011.When asked about the charge, the minister was shocked and stood up from the chair. He ended his press conference and immediately left the party office. Chaudhary is MP from Baharampur constituency. RPF staff escorted the minister.