NEW DELHI, Feb 25:
All eyes will be on Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal tomorrow on whether he yields to pressure of hiking passenger fares yet again or looks at other measures to mobilise resources to offset the burden of the recent diesel price hike.
Bansal had on January 22 hiked passenger fares across-the- board after the Railways faced a loss of about Rs 25,000 crore in the passenger segment.
Railways had aimed to mop up an additional revenue of Rs 6,600 crore but the fuel hike had wiped out Rs 3,300 crore, Bansal had said.
The Rail Minister held several round of discussions with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister P Chidambaram and the Planning Commission in connection with the Rail Budget. He is also understood have discussed the possibility of fare hike with Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
However, sources said a section of the Congress is not inclined towards effecting another round of fare hike as general elections are not far away.
Bansal is all set to announce a slew of passenger-friendly measures such as improvement in catering service, maintaining cleanliness at rail premises, introducing Braille stickers in coaches for visually-challenged passengers and development of stations in his maiden Rail Budget.
While there are possibilities of minor tinkering in freight rates despite resistance from the industry due to the slow economy growth, there will be some announcements of freight schemes to attract more loadings in the next fiscal 2013-14.
With Bansal heading Rail Bhavan and the key ministry back with the Congress party after almost one-and-a-half decade, speculation is rife about announcement of 100 new trains including AC double deckers, extension and increase of some popular passenger services.
Though the Congress is opposing the Trinamool Government in Bengal, MoS Railways Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury might have his say with likely provisions for new trains including Berhampur- Sealdah passenger, a direct train for New Jalpaiguri from the capital and pantry cars for Bengal-bound trains.
While the focus of the Budget is on providing more amenities to rail users, Bansal will initiate certain steps to earn more revenue from the alternative sources such as commercial utilisation of surplus railway land, advertising and other sundry business.
Since high-speed train is the latest buzz in Railway Ministry, there will be a few proposals for it in the Budget.
Aiming to put rescue and restoration work on fast track, the Rail Budget 2013-14 is set to announce procurement of two high-speed self-propelled accident relief trains (SPART).
With a speed of 160 km/hr, the SPART will enable rescue equipment to reach the accident site faster and help speedy rescue and restoration work.
The Ministry is going ahead with the proposal for setting up Rs 1,000 crore MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) coach factory in Rajasthan to cater to the growing demand of faster local and suburban service.
Railways is likely to miss the revenue target of Rs 1.35 lakh crore for the current fiscal as the total earning for the 10 months from April, 2012, to January, 2013, has been Rs 1,01,223 crore, which means it needs to earn Rs 34,000 crore in the next two months to meet the target.
Despite the freight hike in March 2012, Railways is set to miss its freight earning target of Rs 89,339 crore this fiscal as the total goods earnings for the last 10 months from April to January is Rs 70,067.36 crore.
Even the freight loading target of 1,025 million tonnes (MT) is likely to fall short by 15 MT as Railways could transport only 927.90 MT during the last 10 months.
The total passenger earnings for the period of 10 months have been Rs 25,924 crore, whereas the target for the current fiscal is Rs 36,000 crore.
Railways, which had got Rs 24,000 crore as general budgetary support (GBS) in the last budget, sought Rs 38,000 crore from the Government. It is likely to get about Rs 28,000 crore as GBS in the Rail Budget 2013-14.
The annual plan size of Railways was slashed down to Rs 52,000 crore from Rs 61,000 crore for the year 2012-13 due to the overall cut in the expenditure. The annual plan size may touch Rs 65,000 crore in the next fiscal.
In the last Rail Budget, Railways had predicted its operating ratio to be 84.9 per cent, whereas at present its operating ratio is hovering around at an unhealthy 88 per cent to 90 per cent.
As far as rolling stock programme is concerned, the announcement will be made for manufacturing of 4,200 new coaches including 600 LHB (Linke Holfmann Busch) coaches in the Rail Budget 2013-14.
While provision for manufacturing of 670 new locomotives including 20 LNG locos will be made, the Budget will also account for manufacturing of about 16,000 new wagons.
Railways proposes to run as many as 70 heavy haul freight trains over the next year in a move which will not only help decongestion of the busy trunk routes, but also enable it to manage its freight traffic till the dedicated freight corridor takes shape.
Despite cash crunch, funds are likely to be announced in the Rail Budget 2013-14 for long pending projects that include laying new lines, electrification, gauge conversion and doubling.
Currently, there are about 347 rail projects worth Rs 1.47 lakh crore pending. Railways is planning to complete some of these works in the next fiscal.
Certain pending projects involving laying of new lines as last-mile connectivity are being identified and funds will be allocated in the budget for completion of those tracks.
Planning Commission has earmarked Rs 1,94,221 crore as General Budgetary Support (GBS) for Railways in the 12th Five-Year Plan. It has asked the national transporter to earn Rs 1,05,000 crore from internal generation and Rs 2,20,000 crore through extra budgetary resources during (2012-17).
Railways expect to generate Rs 7,000 crore revenue from internal generation and Rs 18,000 crore from market borrowing in next fiscal.
Government may soon notify some works connected with the Railways like afforestation and construction of approach road for crossings under its ambitious rural job scheme which is likely to find a mention in the budget.
Industry has called for speedy implementation of key railway projects such as the Dedicated Freight Corridor, high- speed rail corridors, rolling stock and other capacity enhancement works in the Rail Budget 2013-14.
Currently, industry awaits changes in policies relating to wagon leasing, private freight terminals, special freight train operations which would promote private sector participation in the rail sector.
In response to the industry demand Railways will announce some initiatives to encourage public-private partnerships in rail sector. (PTI)

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 25: A patrolling party of Border Security Force (BSF) today came under firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Mandi sector of Poonch district this morning.
However, no one was injured in the firing.
SSP Poonch Shamsheer Hussain said the brief firing on the BSF patrol party took place at 11.20 am and there were no casualties or damage. Reasons behind the firing couldn’t be ascertained immediately, he added.
Official sources said the BSF troops of 112 battalion fired back.
It was not known whether the firing came from militants or Pakistan Army along the LoC, sources said but added that “definitely the firing came from Pakistan side’’.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 25: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today reaffirmed his Government’s determination for inclusive development in the State adding that holistic growth of weaker sections has been flagged as focused area in the State’s policy planning.
Addressing gathering on Guru Ravi Dass Jayanti here, Omar said that equitable development and justice to all irrespective of any consideration of region, religion, caste or creed is the benchmark of his Government’s functioning.
He said that the special provisions guaranteed by the Constitution and law for comprehensive development and welfare of weaker sections are being fully safeguarded by the Government and clear directions have been given to the concerned to ensure all benefits reach to these sections hassle-free.
Extending greetings to Guru Ravi Dass Ji Samaj on 636 Jayanti of Guru Ji, Omar described Guru Ji as a great social reformer, who struggled and sacrificed for cultivating justice, creating classless society, ensuring dignity of women and preaching the concept of equality and brotherhood of human beings.
Announcing Rs. 20 lakhs for constructing the flooring of Guru Ravi Dass Ji Sabha Complex, the Chief Minister said that the memorandum presented by the Sabha would be given due consideration adding that the maximum points identified in the memorandum have already been taken care of in the Board meetings of Schedule Caste Advisory Board.
He said most of the demands have been taken up by the Vice Chairperson of Schedule Caste Advisory Board, in Board meetings and necessary directions have been given to the concerned in this regard. He said the issue of granting additional land to the Sabha would be discussed shortly.
Vice Chairperson Schedule Caste Advisory Board, Swaran Lata and President of the Sabha, Vijay Lochan also spoke on the occasion and referred to the land reforms and other measures taken by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah for the upliftment and well being of weaker sections of the society.
Minister for Planning and Development, Ajay Sadhotra, Provincial President NC, Jammu, Devender Singh Rana, MLA Chaman Lal Gupta, various political and social activists were present on the occasion.

SRIHARIKOTA (AP), Feb 25:
India’s Polar rocket PSLV today successfully put into orbit seven satellites in the space of four minutes including a Indo-French oceanographic spacecraft that will study changes in the environment, completing its 22nd consecutive flawless launch.
After a textbook launch witnessed by President Pranab Mukherjee here, Indian Space Research Organisation’s workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle(PSLV) placed into orbit in one single mission all the seven spacecraft–Indo-French oceanographic study satellite ‘SARAL’ and six foreign mini and micro satellites.
The PSLV-C20 rocket blasted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in clear weather at 6.01 pm at the end of the 59-hour countdown, marking the 103rd mission of ISRO and yet another testimony to India’s Space prowess. In 2008, India successfully launched 10 satellites in a single mission, boosting its capabilities in space.
The lift-off, scheduled for 5.56 pm, was delayed by five minutes to avoid probability of collision with space debris, a normal cautionary step in a launch mission, ISRO sources said.
Soaring into clear weather, the 44.4 metre tall 230-tonne rocket, in its core alone variant, injected the 409 kg Indo-French satellite SARAL first into orbit about 18 minutes after the lift-off, followed by six other foreign satellites in about four minutes as the scientists broke into cheers.
India has reaffirmed its commercial launch capabilities with today’s launch of SARAL’s co-passengers — SAPPHIRE and NEOSSAT (Canada), AAUSAT3 (Denmark), micro satellites BRITE and UNIBRITE from Austria and STRAND from United Kingdom, with a combined weight of 259.5 kg.
Congratulating scientists for the ‘remarkable launch’ and ‘meticulously executed’ mission, Mukherjee said the success has reaffirmed PSLV’s efficacy, accuracy and reliability.
Reflecting its succesful run in commercial operations, today’s launch took the total number of overseas spacecraft put into orbit by ISRO to 35.
PSLV yet again proved itself as a reliable robust rocket completing its 22nd consecutive successful launch in its 23 missions after the failure of the first one.
The SARAL-ALTIKA satellite, a joint project of the space agencies of India and France, will complement the observations of the seas made by current satellites. It would be one of the very few ocean-centric satellites and a vital cog in studying sea surface heights and other aspects.
The ISRO-built SARAL is short for Satellite with ARGOS and ALTIKA, the two main devices on it which have been provided by French space agency CNES. The two payloads have a mission life of five and three years respectively.
Besides building the spacecraft, ISRO will launch and operate it through its life giving a fillip to Indo-French space cooperation.
ALTIKA is a Ka-band altimeter system, dedicated to accurate measurement of the rise in the sea levels.
The satellite would be useful in studying the sea state, light rainfall climatalogy, mean sea level and coastal altimetry.
It would help ocean scientists gather accurate data on the rise in the sea level which could threaten the low lying and coastal areas of the country.
The spacecraft will provide data products to operational and research user communities, in support of marine meteorology and sea state forecasting; operational oceanography; seasonal forecasting; climate monitoring; ocean, earth system and climate research, ISRO said.
Altimeter (ALTIKA) would help study the sea surface heights while ARGOS is a satellite-based data collection platform.
SARAL, placed in orbit 785 km above the earth, is the first mission under Indian Mini-Satellite (IMS) Bus series-2. This platform, developed by ISRO, is aimed at carrying medium sized payloads useful for applications in areas of earth imaging, ocean and atmospheric studies.
ISRO had initially planned to launch SARAL on December 12 last year but deferred it to carry out additional tests to “address technical issues to ensure reliability”.
Among the foreign satellites, the 74-kg NEOSSAT (Near Earth Object Surveillance Satellite), built by Canada-based Microsat Systems, is aimed at detecting and tracking asteroids that might pose a threat to earth, reminded grimly by the recent strike of a meteor that streaked across the Russian skies.
The meteor had exploded with a force 30 times greater than the Hiroshima nuclear bomb, injuring around 1,200 people, bringing to focus the need to keep track of the inumerable of the near earth objects.
Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan and Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy and Minister of State in the PMO V Narayanasamy witnessed the launch along with Mukherjee and ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan. (PTI)

NEW DELHI, Feb 25:
Armed with documents from Italy, CBI today named former Air Force Chief S P Tyagi in its Preliminary Enquiry into allegations of kickbacks in the Rs 3,600 crore VVIP chopper deal, the second former Defence services chief to figure in a scam probe.
Besides the former IAF chief, 10 others including his cousins–Julie, Docsa and Sandeep Tyagi have also been named along with four companies in the PE, CBI sources said here.
CBI has registered the PE to probe allegations that some “middlemen have influenced the deal in favour” of the Italian company Agusta Westland for the supply of 12 AW-101 VVIP/VIP helicopters.
It is also learnt that parent company Finmeccanica paid a commission of seven million Euros (about Rs 50 crore) to the middlemen out of which huge sums were transferred to seven Indian nationals through Tunisia and Mauritius, the PE said.
The money was sent in the garb of engineering contracts with two Indian companies — IDS Infotech and Aeromatrix, it said.
This is the second instance when a former services chief figures in a CBI inquiry. Former Admiral Sushil Kumar was named in a CBI case to probe alleged kickbacks in the purchase of Barak missiles in early 2000.
The sources said suspected European middlemen Carlo Gerosa, Christian Michel and Guido Haschkhe, advocate Gautam Khaitan formerly associated with Aeromatrix and its CEO Praveen Bakshi, former Finmeccanica Chairman Giuseppe Orsi, former AgustaWestland CEO Bruno Spagnolini have also been named.
Besides Finmeccanica and Agusta Westland, IDS Infotech and Aeromatrix also figure in the PE, they said.
The team of CBI officials, which returned from Italy with some documents from Finmeccanica and public prosecutor, found enough material in them to start its probe in the alleged payoffs of Rs 362 crore in the helicopter deal, they said.
All the suspects named by the CBI in its PE have denied allegations of receiving or giving kickbacks in the deal.
The sources said the they are likely to be called for questioning in connection with the case.
Orsi, former chairman of the Finmeccanica, was arrested by Italian agencies on February 15 on charges of paying bribe for the contract.
The investigation report by Italian prosecutor had claimed that Hashchke and Gerosa, through the Tyagi brothers and their cousin S P Tyagi, managed first to change the tender details bringing the ‘operational ceiling’ from 18,000 to 15,000 feet of altitude, thus allowing AgustaWestland (which otherwise could not have even submitted an offer) to take part in the process.
The report also claimed that the duo managed to introduce a comparative flight trial with non-functional engine, thus swinging the deal in favour of AgustaWestland, the only one providing three engine helicopters.
It alleged payments were made to Hashchke and Gerosa through a consultancy contract between AW and Gordian Services Sarl and an amount of 400,000 Euros (about Rs 2.8 crore). Out of this amount 100,000 Euros (Rs 72 lakh) were paid in cash to the Tyagi brothers (Julie, Docsa and Sandeep). (PTI)

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 25:  A visitor from Pak occupied Kashmir (PoK) was arrested by the security personnel at  Chakkan-da-Bagh LoC point (Poonch) when a live round of AK-47 rifle, wrapped in clothes in his bag was recovered during frisking this afternoon.
Identified as Ghulam Hussain, son of Hassan Mohammed, resident of Peer Zunal village in Barnala area of PoK, he crossed over to this side of the LoC along with 50 other visitors in bus from that side. All the passengers coming from PoK side underwent the security check through machines and physical frisking by the security men/ women  deployed at the Chakkan-da-Bagh point in Poonch.
When the process of frisking was going on, the security related gadgets installed at the point indicated that man was in possession of objectionable material. He was held up while all the others were cleared after thorough security check. It was found that PoK resident had wrapped live cartridge in a paper and concealed in the clothes and then kept in the middle of the bag. It may be for trial purpose just to check whether it is detectable or not by the machines installed.
The authorities on the Indian side asked the man to return to PoK. As he moved back and reached near the gate, the Pakistani securitymen did not open the gates and he again returned to this side. Later, he was handed over to Poonch police and was placed under interrogation. A case has also been registered in this connection. Officer on duty on the Indian side Rizwan Qureshi (Dy Custodian Poonch) lodged his protest with the Pakistani counterpart Aslam Kiani over the issue.
It is not for the first time that such incident  has happened. Earlier also Rawalakote (PoK) based firm had sent a few live cartridges of AK-47 rifle in goods destined to M/s Dewan Traders of Poonch twice.  The Indian authorities have banned the entry of  goods from the black listed  firm  of Rawalakote while Dewan traders have also been debarred from cross LoC trade.
A total 55 passengers exchanged sides at the Chakkan-da-Bagh point today when the LoC point opened between 12.30 and 1.00 pm and then between 2.30 and 3 pm today. Fifty passengers came from that side while five left for PoK. Out of the 50, 36 were PoK residents coming to meet their relatives here for the first time. Fifteen were J&K residents, returning from PoK after their brief stay there. Only two J&K residents went to PoK today in Rawalakote bus while three others were PoK returnees.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 25: State Cabinet met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah at Civil Secretariat this morning and discussed the budget proposals.
During the meeting, Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather made detailed presentation about the budget, which would be presented on March 6, 2013. The Cabinet complemented the Finance Minister, Finance Department, Commercial Taxes and Excise Department for their outstanding performance in tax administration and collection.