Track renewals for a distance of 300 kilometers have been introduced. Priority is given to railway electrification with a target of 35000 kilometers in the tenth plan. New schemes for electrification of about 1500 route kilometers have been included in the budget. Exemption has been given altogether for several essential commodities from increase in freight rates. Minister, the prime minister and the deputy chairman of the planning commission shall have to be complimented for their progressive policy deciding that the entire country should have one gauge. That is why, the conversion of meter-gauge to broad gauge has been introduced. This is a very correct measure. This will promote the backward areas and simultaneously provide employment to the poor and the needy. I would like to remark that the conversion of narrow gauge in the most backward area, that is, Kolar District of Karnataka, has not been included. I do not know why the minister is giving it a step-motherly kind of treatment. Kolar is a backward and drought prone area. The minister has taken measures to see that there is only one gauge throughout the country, that is, the broad gauge, and yet he has neglected this particular narrow-gauge line. I hope the minister will kindly consider this aspect and see that this will be converted into broad-gauge line. The rise in fare and freight charges is not high when compared to the previous budget. This budget has in fact taken care of the poor and the ordinary class passengers. There is criticism that the increase in fare and freight charges is steep and is not in the interest of the rail user. The second-class compartments and sometimes even- the first class compartments are very crowded. This statement is a brief report for the information of parliament on my visits to the U.S. in may 1964 and the U.S.S.R during August-September, 1964. The object of my visit to the U.S. was to secure material and financial assistance for the implementation of India's five-year defence plan.
