M A I N   N E W S

Nitish firm on bifurcation
Ready for debate in Parliament

Patna, July 8
The Railway Minister, Mr Nitish Kumar, today categorically ruled out any review or withdrawal of notification concerning the creation of new East-Central railway zone headquartered at Hajipur but said he was ready for a debate in Parliament on the subject.

“Why and what for shall I review or withdraw the notifications to set up seven new railway zones, including one at Hajipur. I will not backtrack on the decision taken as per law and after meticulous study,” Mr Nitish Kumar told reporters here.

Ruling out his resignation on the issue, he asked “should I tender resignation for doing a good work in accordance with the Cabinet decision?”

Asked how the controversy could be resolved, Mr Kumar said the decision to create new zones was taken by the Union Cabinet and the Cabinet or Prime Minister were competent to take a decision on a review, but as far as railways was concerned, the matter was closed.

The Railway Minister said he was not aware of the NDA government thinking of any formula either to set up a group of ministers or an experts committee to find an amicable solution to the controversy raised by the Trinamool Congress demanding the withdrawal of the notification to bifurcate the Eastern Railway with headquarters in Kolkata.

He said he had explained in detail to Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani the rationale behind creation of new railway zones in accordance with the Cabinet decision.

“If required I will meet him again,” he said adding “I am unhappy that some political parties of West Bengal are unnecessarily raking up the issue of bifurcation which is purely a technical and administrative decision of the railways to enhance its efficiency.”

The minister asked the political parties of West Bengal to desist from creating unnecessary controversy over the issue.

He said he had given a detailed reply to West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya’s queries pertaining to creation of Hajipur railway zone.

“I am ready for a substantive debate on the issue in Parliament,” he said, adding “the matter though has been discussed in Parliament and decision to create new railway zones was part of railway budget speech also.” PTI