Union Budget Session 2017: 100% village electrification and Railways gets Rs 55,000 crore, no service charge on IRCTC tickets

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented the Union budget 2017-2018 in Lok Sabha today. This is the fourth budget by the Narendra Modi government. Jaitley said the demonetisation move by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8, 2016 will not have a lasting impact on the economy. Jaitley also announced that the budget allocation for welfare of women and children under various ministries will be increased to Rs 1,84,632 cr.

Jaitley also said he took immense pride in presenting a joint budget including the Railway Budget. Railways will focus on passenger safety, capital works and cleanliness, among other issues, Jaitley said. Following the presentation of the Union budget, both Houses of Parliament will adjourn for the day.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is presenting the Union Budget 2017. The aim of his Budget, he says, is to spend more in rural areas and alleviate poverty.

Talking on demonetisation, Jaitley says the increased liquidity already reflects in the lower lending rates, adding that the pace of remonetisation will soon reach comfortable levels.

* Railway to focus on safety
* Dedicated tourism trains
* Mordernisation of raiways corridors
* Clear cut guideloine for safety work
* 500 stations to get lifts, escalators
* Solar power to be used in 2000 stations
* By 2019, bio Toilets will be avaliable in all trains
* New metor railway policy to be announced
* Service charge on e-ticket to be withdrawn
* 500 stations to be made differently abled friendly