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_________________________________________________________________________ * Moved with the recommendation of the President.

">SHRI P. UPENDRA (VIJAYAWADA): Mr. Chairman Sir, I am happy to participate in the debate on the Railway Budget for 1998-99. Having spent almost a quarter century in the Railways and having been associated with the Railway Committees for long, I can say it is a privilege to say a few words on this Budget and I am grateful to my party for giving me this opportunity to initiate the debate on the Railway Budget.

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION (SHRI RAM NAIK): What do you want to say?

SHRI P. UPENDRA : I will come to that. Now, I am only analysing the problems.

The railways are six times energy efficient than that of the roadways and the rail construction cost is also six times lower than that of the road traffic. Therefore, if the freight traffic is reversed as 60 : 40, then savings on diesel alone will be worth about Rs.5,300 crore. That much diesel can be saved if this traffic is again brought back to the railways. Therefore, a new Transport Policy Committee has to be appointed to review the whole transport structure in this country today and to see what is happening in the railways, roadways and in the ports, etc. Another study is required for this purpose and a new committee has to be appointed.

MR. SPEAKER: No, no, please.

SHRI P.C. CHACKO : Sir, this is very unfair. Shri Ram Naikji cannot say like this ... (Interruptions)

SHRI P. UPENDRA : Sir, I was once a Parliamentary Affairs Minister and thus I know the compulsion of the Ministers ... (Interruptions)

SHRI P.C. CHACKO : Shri Ram Naik, please do not take this position ... (Interruptions)

SHRI A.C. JOS : Shri Ram Naik is a very responsible Minister. He will ... (Interruptions)

MR. SPEAKER : Shri Jos, please.

SHRI P. UPENDRA : Sir, anyhow, much of what I was telling, might have been going over his head. Therefore, I do not blame him. So, it does not matter whether he is here or not ... (Interruptions)

SHRI RAM NAIK: Sir, it is an accusation ... (Interruptions) Shri Upendra, would you yield for a minute?

Sir, the hon. Member said that whatever he is speaking is going over my head ... (Interruptions)

SHRI P. UPENDRA : I said, `perhaps'.

SHRI RAM NAIK: `Perhaps'? That means, you are not sure ... (Interruptions) Please have some propriety ... (Interruptions)

SHRI P. UPENDRA : It is subject to judgment.

SHRI RAM NAIK: This is the judgment you are having ... (Interruptions)

MR. SPEAKER: Please do not disturb.