New Delhi, Mar 31 Passengers travelling in AC 1 and AC 2 classes will have to shell out more from tomorrow when the upward revision in higher class fares will come into effect. The fare is also being hiked in Executive class and first class as per the Rail Budget 2012-13 announcement. The revised tariff will also be applicable to tickets tickets issued in advance for journey to commence on or after April 1, 2012. “In case tickets are already issued at pre-revised rates, the difference in fares will be recovered from passengers either by TTEs in trains or by the booking offices before commemcement of the journey,” said a senior Railway Ministry official. As per the decision, passenger fares will be increased 10 paise per km in first class, 15 paisa per km for AC 2 and 30 paisa per km for AC 1 from April 1. The platform ticket is also to cost Rs 5 from tomorrow, said the official. Though there was proposal for fare hike in all classes including AC III, sleeper class, suburban and second class in the Rail Budget, new Railway Minister Mukul Roy decided for partial roll back of fares in these classes. Railways have earned Rs 28,000 crore revenue from passenger fares in 2011-12. The national transporter was aiming to earn Rs 36,000 crore in 2012-13 with the five per cent expected growth in passenger volume in 2012-13 and the hike in all classes as proposed by the former Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi. However, now with the roll back in major classes like AC III and second class, railways is expected to earn only Rs 400 crore from the hike in AC 1, AC 2 and first class fares. The revised fare list is being displayed at all stations for public and the changed fare tables are also availble on the ministry website, said the official.

31st March is important in many ways. Firstly, it is the date on which the Banks finalize the accounts. Government and many private and public organisations also finalize the accounts on the same date. The budget of the next year is to be approved by the Parliament before the start of the next financial year ie. April to March.

As far as Postal Department is concerned, this is the day on which the first Post Office in India was opened in Calcutta in 1774.  The postal services was only for the government earlier. It was from 1774 onwards that it was opened for the public, though limitedly.

There will many important events connected with 31st March. It is, anyway, an important date.

Many friends and comrades have intimated through SMSs, mails, calls and comments their heartfelt condolences to me in the last two days for my bereavement, passing away of my beloved elder sister. I thank all of them for their sharing of my grief and condolence messages.