EQ for VVIPs in Bihar trains reduced

New Delhi, June 14, 2010

The Ministry of Railways has partially responded to information sought under the RTI, complains Subhash Chandra Agrawal.

Mr. Agrawal said he had sought information on 10 counts but the response pertained to only three of these admitting that the emergency quotas (EQ) for VVIPs in Bihar-bound trains had been reduced with the exit of Lalu Prasad and Mamata Banerjee taking charge as Minister for Railways.

The quotas have been reduced with respect to 11 trains by up to 60 per cent in some cases. The Railways denied any increase in emergency quota for VVIPs in West Bengal- bound trains after Ms. Banerjee assumed office.

The Railways, however, did not respond to questions as to whether Ms. Banerjee used her privately owned car for even official use; as to who paid for the fuel and other expenses and salary of the driver; the names of her personal staff; the number of cars provided to them and the expenses incurred thereupon.