(1) Advancement of the budget timing with a motive to start implementation of budget proposals from day-1 i.e. April 1 is a highly commendable action. How can we expect budget proposals to be timely implemented throughout the year if the beginning itself is delayed? This action truly reflects the PMs statement that days of "Chalega" "Dekhna hai" attitude are over and now Govt means timely action.
(2) Actual benefit of Rs 10000 crores for IR is at the mercy of finance minister, who can increase or decrease the gross budgetary support to IR at his will.
(3)If...
more... "Presentation of railway budget means doling out favors by way of new trains" (more to favoured state and less to others). Then does "abolishing of Railway budget" means doling of new regular (normal fare) trains to favoured states and Suvidha/ special fare train for the others? There are no norms where to run a "regular train with normal fare" and where to run the dreaded "suvidha/special fare" ones.
(4) Merger of Rail budget into General budget shall be beneficial only if the de-politicisation actually takes place. Merger is no guarantee of depoliticisation. Now RM can easily do away without giving anything to a particular state and even MPs of the particular state shall be helpless as there will no need to discuss and pass any rail budget in the parliament.