Financial Performance of Railways in 2013-14

The Minister of Railways Shri D. V. Sadananda Gowda, while presenting the Railway Budget for 2014-15 in Parliament today, said that the financial position of Railways has undergone a change since presentation of Interim Budget and passing of the ‘Vote on Account’ in February last. He gave the details as under :-

1. Since presentation of Interim Budget and passing of the ’Vote on Account‘ in February last, financial position has undergone a change. Railways carried 1050.18 million tonnes. Goods Earnings were short only by ₹ 94 crore. Originating passengers, also, were less by 46 million over Revised target and Passenger earnings were short by ₹ 968 crore over Revised target.

2. Over all, though the Gross Traffic Receipts grew by 12.8% to reach ₹ 1,39,558 crore, it was short of Revised target by ₹ 942 crore. On the other hand, Ordinary Working Expenses stood at ₹ 97,571 crore, which was in excess by ₹ 511 crore.

3. Appropriation to Pension Fund had to be stepped up to match the actual outgo.

4. As a result, instead of ending the year with a surplus of ₹ 7,943 crore, the surplus was actually ₹ 3,783 crore i.e., a shortfall of ₹ 4,160 crore. This is after fulfilling the dividend commitment of ₹ 8,010 crore.

5. The internal resource generation for Plan, in 2013-14, was ₹ 11,710 crore, as against Revised target of ₹ 14,496 crore. This is short by ₹ 2,786 crore.

6 In 2013-14, there was a decline in traffic growth as compared to Revised projections. Expenditure however, shot up and was more than what was estimated. The Operating Ratio deteriorated by 2.7% over Revised target to touch 93.5% by end of 2013-14 fiscal.

7. As far the Plan Expenditure for 2013-14 is concerned, it fell short of Revised target of ₹ 59,359 crore mainly due to non-materialization of PPP targets.