Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee set the tone for her budget declaring that she preferred social responsibility to economic viability, amidst expectation of goodies for West Bengal. She said her government stood for inclusive growth.

She appealed to the business houses to join hands in rebuilding the railway and announced to set up a special task force to clear investment proposals within 100 days. But she made it clear the railways would not be privatised.

A slew of concessions, including for carriage of foodgrains, kerosene and fertiliser, were announced by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee in her budget 2010-11 today.

There would be a reduction of Rs 100 per wagon in freight charges for carrying fertiliser, foodgrains for domestic consumption and kerosene, she said presenting the railway budget in the Lok Sabha.

The technicians of the regional film industry would get 75 per cent concession in second class sleeper and 50 per cent in higher classes in all trains while travelling for film production-related work.

Cancer patients travelling for treatment would get 100 per cent concession in third AC and sleeper classes.

Service charges on e-tickets will be reduced to Rs 10 for sleeper class and Rs 20 for AC classes, she said. The present charges are Rs 15 and Rs 40, respectively.