KISAN RAIL SCHEME

Subject : Govt Schemes

Context : Railways Ministry and Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) have joined hands to extend 50 per cent subsidy on rail freight for transportation of notified fruits and vegetables through ‘ Kisan Rail’.

Concept :

• Kisan Rails are the first ever multi commodity trains. Earlier, Indian Railways had run single commodity special trains like Banana Specials etc.
• These trains with refrigerated coaches will help in bringing perishable agricultural products like vegetables, fruits to the market in a short period of time.
• These will ensure that agro products reach from one corner to another corner of the country.
• These trains are a step towards realising the goal of doubling farmers’ incomes by 2022.
• These are expected to be a great help to the farmers, as freight of these trains will be charged as per parcel tariff of normal trains.
• Aggressive marketing is being done with local farmers, loaders, Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) and individuals.
• Any farmer or any other interested party can directly book their consignments in trains, without any lower limit on the size of consignment.
• The consignment can be as small as 50-100 kgs, and can be booked from any stopping station to any other stopping station – giving full flexibility.
• Regarding loss/damage of products for any reason, Railways already have a well-established claim/compensation system – through which the party can get compensation for its losses.

Additional Information :

• The last budget proposed the launch of Krishi Udan by Civil Aviation Ministry on international and national routes to transport perishable goods to less accessible areas such as the north-east and tribal districts.