Amid reports that there could be a hike in passenger fares, railways today made it clear that there is no such proposal at present.

“At present, there is no proposal for increasing passenger fares,” the Minister of State for Railways, Mr K.H. Muniyappa, informed the Lok Sabha today.

In a written reply, he also said the recent hike in freight charges was “marginal” in nature.

“The assessees impact of the increased rates on the prices of essential commodities is expected to be negligible,” the Minister said.

He said in the case of transportation of foodgrains and fertilisers, the increase per kg per 1,000 km is 5 paise and 4 paise in the case of salt and sugar. The increase is 3 paise and 6 paise for transportation of onion and edible oils.

“It is estimated that the railways would earn about Rs 1,914 crore during the remaining part of the current financial year from the levy of these charges,” he said.

To another question, he said the Finance Ministry did not agree a proposal for grant of a temporary loan of Rs 2,100 crore to railways.

“However, the matter is being taken up with the Finance Ministry again,” he said.