With TMC exit, Chidambaram to increase AC rail fares by 3%

[Ray]

I dont fly.. I go by train.. i have a whole bunch of tickets booked for the december wedding season.. the TTE is going to take the hike amount from me.

India has 35 million income tax payers out of 1.2 billion.. i am one of those IT payers. taxes in India are modern day Robinhood measures with people like SG with the remote control. Take from the taxpayers, shower on the poor.

You go abroad for business by walking?

Or are you a Hatha Yogi who can walk over water?

 

[Bangalorean]

No one is asking for the moon.

They are merely asking for the earth that they dwell upon!

Just the basics to live a life that is worth living.

And not be hounded by foreigners that we are sub saharan!

You may not be, but then there are many who may qualify!

Everyone is not born with a silver spoon in the mouth as you!

Pause from your parents and God given bounty and think of the masses for a change and then talk!

Huh - the standard "you are anti-poor because you are not a socialist fossil" argument.

Sir, we have so many people in "sub-saharan conditions" precisely because we have perpetuated poverty all these years. The only time we saw real progress and growth, and reduction of poverty, is after we reformed our useless economic ways. And yet you advocate more of the same!!

The way to pull people out of poverty is to create jobs and growth, not keep giving dole. Your prescription of "think of the masses" is just the typical Nehru-Gandhi dole mindset. No growth, no vision - just dole out some money to the poor, in the form of subsidies and so on, and ensure that poverty is perpetuated forever.

And a final note: I was not "born with a silver spoon in my mouth". While I was not really "deprived" as a kid, we were never "that" well-off. Whatever I have today, is thanks to economic liberalization.

 

[Yusuf]

You go abroad for business by walking?

Or are you a Hatha Yogi who can walk over water?

Sir,

Going abroad is a different issue..While in India its always a train especially if its a private visit.

But thats not the point. For years, IR has been screwed just like Air India has been screwed by total mismanagement. There has been no increase in fare for so many years while the price of everything else has increased so much over the last few years. If the railways has to improve its standards, its gonna increase the fares and make use of the money to bettering its services.

Think of it this way. If there is a fare hike, you pay only when you travel. If there is no hike, you pay everyday a small part by means of the subsidized travel that others enjoy which comes from your tax money..That is exactly where your tax money is going.

 

[Bangalorean]

Think of it this way. If there is a fare hike, you pay only when you travel. If there is no hike, you pay everyday a small part by means of the subsidized travel that others enjoy which comes from your tax money..That is exactly where your tax money is going.

Perfect! I couldn't have put it better myself.

The country will never move beyond mediocre status as long as people think that the way to "help the poor" is to subsidize and provide dole to them. This Nehruvian socialism has destroyed the nation beyond measure. It is time to say, enough is enough.

 

[Yusuf]

WHY AC Only :why::why:

Madame G did not approve i guess.

 

[Ray]

It is easy to say, "the government does not do anything with tax" - this is a typical middle class living room statement. Everything you see around you, the roads, the infra, the water, the law and order, peaceful society - everything is because the government does something with your taxes. Yeah, everything is mediocre and bad, and nothing is "world class" - but frankly, things have got better in the last 20 years. And things will continue to get better as growth and prosperity increases, and subsidy-leech culture vanishes.

I understand your psyche.

When I was in the profession, the world was a comfortable fish bowl of existence.

Now that I am on my own, with no support system, I realise the way one has to struggle and even fight to get one's due.

Those who have a comfortable existence with good pay, cannot understand the realities that hits the common man and having been a Rural Development Monitor, I have seen the reality to some extent.

Therefore, what may be trifling for you and your ilk, is not what is real India.

But I give way and let you feel that you speak for India.

I don't claim to speak for India, but only for a marginal part of the India that I am experiencing and the India that I interact with - the lower echelons if you will and call them the unwashed classes if it pleases you.

We also exist.

We do not have bread and even if you say we should eat cake instead, we can't. It is beyond our means!

Be Happy.

Hakuna Matata!

 

[Ray]

If there is a fare hike, you pay only when you travel.

Every one does not stay in the city they work in. Travelling salesmen or call them junior executives, if you will travel by train.

They commute!

Money!

I thank the commercial world for opening up avenues for the educated unemployed where they are at least being able to become junior executives and doing something for their families.

 

[Yusuf]

I understand your psyche.

When I was in the profession, the world was a comfortable fish bowl of existence.

Now that I am on my own, with no support system, I realise the way one has to struggle and even fight to get one's due.

Those who have a comfortable existence with good pay, cannot understand the realities that hits the common man and having been a Rural Development Monitor, I have seen the reality to some extent.

Therefore, what may be trifling for you and your ilk, is not what is real India.

But I give way and let you feel that you speak for India.

I don't claim to speak for India, but only for a marginal part of the India that I am experiencing and the India that I interact with - the lower echelons if you will and call them the unwashed classes if it pleases you.

We also exist.

We do not have bread and even if you say we should eat cake instead, we can't. It is beyond our means!

Be Happy.

Hakuna Matata!

Sir,

The hike has been for the AC class. The "poor" have not been affected. The AC travelers will continue to subsidize for those who travel in second class.

 

[Bangalorean]

I don't claim to speak for India, but only for a marginal part of the India that I am experiencing and the India that I interact with - the lower echelons if you will and call them the unwashed classes if it pleases you.

We also exist.

We do not have bread and even if you say we should eat cake instead, we can't. It is beyond our means!

Be Happy.

Hakuna Matata!

No no, what we differ on, is the technique to pull the "poorer classes" up, and into the middle class.

I agree that certain things need to be subsidized to a certain extent. But there has to be a balance. Massive and useless populism combined with Nehruvian socialist mindset has eaten into India's vitals over the years.

Every rupee spent in building a factory or a road or a railway track is infinitely better than a rupee spent on railway fare subsidy.

 

[Yusuf]

Every one does not stay in the city they work in. Travelling salesmen or call them junior executives, if you will travel by train.

They commute!

Money!

Sir your are missing the point. The hike is in AC. If someone is ready to pay 1500 for a bangalore mumbai ticket by 2AC, he will not blink when he is asked to pay Rs 45 extra..

The second class fares remain unchanged.

 

[Bangalorean]

Sir your are missing the point. The hike is in AC. If someone is ready to pay 1500 for a bangalore mumbai ticket by 2AC, he will not blink when he is asked to pay Rs 45 extra..

The second class fares remain unchanged.

And even the second class fares can be increased, within measure. If someone is ready to pay 500 for Bangalore-Mumbai, he will not blink when asked to pay Rs. 15 extra. Yet, this money makes a massive, huge difference to Indian railways, to the rail infrastructure in the country, to the Indian economy and to India.

We Indians whine when goras and others make fun of the "Cattle class" trains and "sub-Saharan" conditions. And we also whine when measures are taken to mitigate the same, to bring things up to standard.

This culture of making unnecessary protest and expressing dissent with everything, is typical of the "argumentative Indian". These hikes affect no one at all. Yet, there are so many dissenting voices. I don't understand why!

 

[Ray]

It is easy to say, "the government does not do anything with tax" - this is a typical middle class living room statement.

True.

But then I am a Rural Development Ministry Monitor and not merely a middle class living room potato couch master or living on high salaries of the IT industry or the MNCs!

Seen life otherwise and even now!

 

[Bangalorean]

True.

But then I am a Rural Development Ministry Monitor and not merely a middle class living room potato couch master or living on high salaries of the IT industry or the MNCs!

Seen life otherwise and even now!

OK, so do you live in a relatively peaceful society with reasonable law and order? Do roads exist to take you from place to place? Are you in danger of war or genocide?

How is all this being made possible?

Just because there is corruption, and every rupee that needs to come through does not come through, does not mean we start opposing any economic measures that increase the government coffers.

 

[Ray]

No no, what we differ on, is the technique to pull the "poorer classes" up, and into the middle class.

I agree that certain things need to be subsidized to a certain extent. But there has to be a balance. Massive and useless populism combined with Nehruvian socialist mindset has eaten into India's vitals over the years.

Every rupee spent in building a factory or a road or a railway track is infinitely better than a rupee spent on railway fare subsidy.

Nehru and his philosophy be damned.

All is say is give me my money's worth.

Use my taxes and give me the returns.

I have no complaints!

Khanduri, an Army General, an engineer, who gave India today's highways with a clause that for 5 years the contractor is responsible for all damages and shoddy work.

What is happening now?

Not even one fiftieth per day of what Kahnduri's plan did!

I want my money's worth.

I want better education for the people. I pay a surcharge of 2% for education in my IT. I pay for education in the liquor licences. So, I want better education for all!

 

[Yusuf]

Nehru and his philosophy be damned.

All is say is give me my money's worth.

Use my taxes and give me the returns.

I have no complaints!

Khanduri, an Army General, an engineer, who gave India today's highways with a clause that for 5 years the contractor is responsible for all damages and shoddy work.

What is happening now?

Not even one fiftieth per day of what Kahnduri's plan did!

I want my money's worth.

I want better education for the people. I pay a surcharge of 2% for education in my IT. I pay for education in the liquor licences. So, I want better education for all!

Sir, your money's worth will come if it is not used for subsidies for others. Your money is right now going in all sorts of subsidies and not in nation building.

 

[Ray]

OK, so do you live in a relatively peaceful society with reasonable law and order? Do roads exist to take you from place to place? Are you in danger of war or genocide?

How is all this being made possible?

Just because there is corruption, and every rupee that needs to come through does not come through, does not mean we start opposing any economic measures that increase the government coffers.

Depends on what you mean relative.

Genocide or war?

Genocide happens because of taxes? And war? Haven't understood your drift.

Roads?

When have you last gone on a long distance drive?

I have been to Punjab last year. We paid through our noses for toll, but roads! They were miserable. They were not even Govt roads but parceled out entrepreneurs. That is the sad commentary.

Yes, we must oppose taxes that have no meaning and that which will not deliver but instead line the pockets.

Deliver and take what is your due is what I say.

 

[Yusuf]

Depends on what you mean relative.

Genocide or war?

Genocide happens because of taxes? And war? Haven't understood your drift.

Roads?

When have you last gone on a long distance drive?

I have been to Punjab last year. We paid through our noses for toll, but roads! They were miserable. They were not even Govt roads but parceled out entrepreneurs. That is the sad commentary.

Yes, we must oppose taxes that have no meaning and that which will not deliver but instead line the pockets.

Deliver and take what is your due is what I say.

Touch wood, highways that i travel on are beauties..

 

[Ray]

Sir, your money's worth will come if it is not used for subsidies for others. Your money is right now going in all sorts of subsidies and not in nation building.

If every penny is monitored, then there will be success.

Or else everything will remain populist slogans.

Sadly, nothing will be monitored, because the money is for politicians to grab and then send a little bit back to the Party coffers!

Why do you think Jagan is being hounded, but his father was never hounded and instead was lionised by the very same political party that used India's total resources to include the Army and the Air Force to locate his father's downed aircraft and also took US help?

And the same wonder called Chidambaram was the Master of Ceremonies!

And guess why the same alacrity and mustering of all India resources was not displayed by the same Chidambaram when the Arunachal CM's helicopter went down?

 

[Yusuf]

Ray Sir,

You are mixing fare hikes with taxes. The govt has not increased taxes but fares. and the taxes you pay are going into subsidies.

If you want your rupees worth, oppose all the populist measures..

Sir, look at the buses in Kolkata.. I think they are from the British time. Why, no one raised the fares. You still pay a rupee to get from one end of the town to the other. How will the bus service improve? Then Mamta asks the center for a bail out package. Where does it come from? From the rest of the Indian tax payers money.

 

[Yusuf]

If every penny is monitored, then there will be success.

Or else everything will remain populist slogans.

Sadly, nothing will be monitored, because the money is for politicians to grab and then send a little bit back to the Party coffers!

Why do you think Jagan is being hounded, but his father was never hounded and instead was lionised by the very same political party that used India's total resources to include the Army and the Air Force to locate his father's downed aircraft and also took US help?

And the same wonder called Chidambaram was the Master of Ceremonies!

And guess why the same alacrity and mustering of all India resources was not displayed by the same Chidambaram when the Arunachal CM's helicopter went down?

sir you are mixing up increase in fares with taxes and corruption.