Problem need to be studied ion totality, just pinpointing one is not fair. There is a story behind it too which goes as follows:
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A cheap seed of poisonous tree (populism-not increasing passenger fares esp non ac class to appease poor vote bank 90% of public) was sown by a gardener (RM) several years back. This tree was declared sacred and was revered and taken care of for 10 good years by many other gardeners (RM) and has become a holy tree but is actually giving poisonous fruit which is gradually killing...
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IR. One RM tried to cut the poisonous tree but was sacked by those gardeners as if cutting the poisonous tree is a blasphemy. If the present gardener try to cut the tree like one of his predecessor, he too risk the people's wrath who consider this fruit as holy as god's "prasad". He is willing to uproot the poisonous tree planted by the predecessors but is afraid of dire consequences.
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As far as responsibility is concerned, In the decreasing order of responsiblity, the list is
(1) RM who institutionalised it
(2) RM who sew the seed
(3)political parties who make hue and cry if any one attempt to pluck a leaf out of this holy tree leave aside uprooting it. Opposition has to be constructive and reasonable and not just blind and forceful opposition.
(4) RM announced many good& hard moves which were not implemented after judging the mood of (blind & negative)opposition and public (electoral punishment even for justified hard steps). RM who did not muster enough courage to cut this poisonous tree (not increasing fare) and face the wrath of opposition & Public.
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Now going into the basics, I must say that it is the
Indian public at large, which want only subsidies from govt and does not want to contribute towards the govt expenses which is the root cause of the problem. Even well off persons enjoying ownership of car/ costly bikes are not paying income tax. Huge fraction of public want safer, more convenient, faster service at ridiculously low fare that is just not fair and possible
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Politicians are all out to appease the subsidy greedy Indians in the name of poor, they will charge 5000 in AC III class suvidha/premium and charge hardly 100 Rs in non ac class in the same train for the same destinations. Licking boot od some and kicking badly below stomach can be only words to compare two situation.
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Bureaucrats instead of doing duty with full dedication and honesty are often involved in complacency towards duty and indulgence in corrupt practices. Political interference have made the matter worse. National interests take back seat and departmental, political and personal vested interest become guidelines of working. So vitiated is atmosphere in many govt deptts/ sections that it becomes very difficult for a honest person to survive in such a setup.