Tag: Railway Budget

Guest Column: Budget ’17 needs to incentivise digital adoption, stir rural economy

This year’s Union Budget, called unique, has been the talk of the town. First, it’s going to be scheduled on 1 February 2017instead of the usual presentation on 28 February. Second, it’s the first time that the Railway Budget is going to be merged with the Union Budget.

However, I would like to consider it unique for other reasons as well. We are aware of the fact that this exercise has come against the backdrop of demonetisation. Due to this, demand has dropped and the GDP of the country has been affected gravely. While experts have already envisioned a poor growth rate, I would like to consider a worst possible situation of seven per cent plus rate as still healthy. What affects us the most in marketing, branding and advertising sectors of the media industry is consumer business segment.

The consumer business sector has seen a lot of volatility of late due to impending rollout of GST (Goods and Services Tax) and demonetisation. The retail and FMCG segments have been directly affected. This means stringent marketing budgets, which has slowed brand development exercises.

Hence, I would like to term the budget “unique” if my budget expectations are met. What are my expectations? The following:

1. Shaking up rural economy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been talking about this for a long period of time. The finance minister had given hints to incentivise foreign companies to come here and market Indian agricultural produce. I am eagerly looking forward to this as this would mean sizable investment in this sector and more start-ups getting into it promoting healthy business and growth rates.

2. Promote digital payments

Now that the government has shown us the dream of a cashless economy, I am expecting clear incentives for financial technology companies and cashless transacting businesses. Some bit of it has already started, but some better provisions will ensure more innovation in the sector, thus leading to consumer ease.

3. Government investment in health and education

We have seen the government going strong on the Swachha Bharat (Clean India) campaign and many brands associating themselves to a larger social cause. I am expecting a similar impetus in the health and education sectors.

4. Clarity on GST game plan

A clearer roll out timeline for the GST is the need of the hour to end the uncertainty looming large everywhere. I am expecting a clearer picture after the budget is announced.

5. Tax relaxation

After the demonetisation drive, the government seems to have successfully collected a significant amount of money. The individual salaried person is definitely expecting a relaxation of tax slabs and rates. I am hoping that the fiscal deficit will be lower and, hence, the base line tax rate coming down, which can essentially widen the base and make the environment more conducive for business.

(Saswata Das is partner & executive director WOW Design. The views expressed here are personal, and Indiantelevision.com need not necessarily subscribe to them)

January 30, 2017
Guest Column: Budget ’17 needs to incentivise digital adoption, stir rural economy

This year’s Union Budget, called unique, has been the talk of the town. First, it’s going to be scheduled on 1 February 2017instead of the usual presentation on 28 February. Second, it’s the first time that the Railway Budget is going to be merged with the Union Budget.

However, I would like to consider it unique for other reasons as well. We are aware of the fact that this exercise has come against the backdrop of demonetisation. Due to this, demand has dropped and the GDP of the country has been affected gravely. While experts have already envisioned a poor growth rate, I would like to consider a worst possible situation of seven per cent plus rate as still healthy. What affects us the most in marketing, branding and advertising sectors of the media industry is consumer business segment.

The consumer business sector has seen a lot of volatility of late due to impending rollout of GST (Goods and Services Tax) and demonetisation. The retail and FMCG segments have been directly affected. This means stringent marketing budgets, which has slowed brand development exercises.

Hence, I would like to term the budget “unique” if my budget expectations are met. What are my expectations? The following:

1. Shaking up rural economy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been talking about this for a long period of time. The finance minister had given hints to incentivise foreign companies to come here and market Indian agricultural produce. I am eagerly looking forward to this as this would mean sizable investment in this sector and more start-ups getting into it promoting healthy business and growth rates.

2. Promote digital payments

Now that the government has shown us the dream of a cashless economy, I am expecting clear incentives for financial technology companies and cashless transacting businesses. Some bit of it has already started, but some better provisions will ensure more innovation in the sector, thus leading to consumer ease.

3. Government investment in health and education

We have seen the government going strong on the Swachha Bharat (Clean India) campaign and many brands associating themselves to a larger social cause. I am expecting a similar impetus in the health and education sectors.

4. Clarity on GST game plan

A clearer roll out timeline for the GST is the need of the hour to end the uncertainty looming large everywhere. I am expecting a clearer picture after the budget is announced.

5. Tax relaxation

After the demonetisation drive, the government seems to have successfully collected a significant amount of money. The individual salaried person is definitely expecting a relaxation of tax slabs and rates. I am hoping that the fiscal deficit will be lower and, hence, the base line tax rate coming down, which can essentially widen the base and make the environment more conducive for business.

(Saswata Das is partner & executive director WOW Design. The views expressed here are personal, and Indiantelevision.com need not necessarily subscribe to them)

January 30, 2017
Commercial ads to aid Rail Radio Service

NEW DELHI: Installation of entertainment through Public Address Systems in trains will be operated by selected licensees, through commercial advertisements. As a result, this will not involve any expense, the minister of state for railways Rajen Gohain said.

As announced by the railway minister Suresh Prabhu, the train-borne services are being provided in the Railway Budget 2016-17. However, luxury trains such as the Shatabdi have been playing pre-recorded music in trains for the past few years on the public address system.

December 8, 2016
Commercial ads to aid Rail Radio Service

NEW DELHI: Installation of entertainment through Public Address Systems in trains will be operated by selected licensees, through commercial advertisements. As a result, this will not involve any expense, the minister of state for railways Rajen Gohain said.

As announced by the railway minister Suresh Prabhu, the train-borne services are being provided in the Railway Budget 2016-17. However, luxury trains such as the Shatabdi have been playing pre-recorded music in trains for the past few years on the public address system.

December 8, 2016
Indian Railways target four-fold increase in advertising revenue: Railway Budget 16-17

MUMBAI: Aiming to tap newer areas for generating revenue, Railway minister Suresh Prabhu expressed his intention to heavily explore the potential of Indian Railways in generating more advertising revenue, with a target to multiply earnings by almost four times.

While presenting the Railway Budget 2016 – 2017, Prabhu said, “We have vast physical infrastructure that facilitates exploitation through advertising. We intend to give special focus to exploring advertising potential on trains, stations and land adjacent to tracks of big stations.”

“We will use customer interfacing assets to earn advertising revenue. Evolve models for revenue potential in 20 stations over the next three months to target ad revenue and improve earnings from advertising by more than four times than the current ad revenue,” added Prabhu.

To further optimise the service’s potential for advertising revenues, Prabhu also announced the introduction of display screens. “We are soon introducing 20,000 high tech display screens across 2000 stations as rail display network for real time information to passengers and also unlock advertising potential,” Prabhu asserted.

“Railway has typically focused on increasing revenues on tariff hikes,” Prabhu had stated at the beginning of his budget address at the Rajya Sabha.

Stressing the need to increase Indian Railways’ revenue through non-tariff resources and methods at the beginning of his address at the Rajya Sabha, Prabhu also shared his plans to capitalise on the heavy digital traffic on the IRCTC website by engaging in e-commerce activities. “Railway has typically focused on increasing revenues on tariff hikes. IRCTC also has potential to exploit e commerce activities due to the large number of hits,” Prabhu shared.

The minister also announced a special concession for journalists on ticket tariff. “For our journalist friends we will allow e-booking of tickets on concessional passes,” said Prabhu, later adding in jest, “Hoping that they will cover it better.”

February 25, 2016
Indian Railways target four-fold increase in advertising revenue: Railway Budget 16-17

MUMBAI: Aiming to tap newer areas for generating revenue, Railway minister Suresh Prabhu expressed his intention to heavily explore the potential of Indian Railways in generating more advertising revenue, with a target to multiply earnings by almost four times.

While presenting the Railway Budget 2016 – 2017, Prabhu said, “We have vast physical infrastructure that facilitates exploitation through advertising. We intend to give special focus to exploring advertising potential on trains, stations and land adjacent to tracks of big stations.”

“We will use customer interfacing assets to earn advertising revenue. Evolve models for revenue potential in 20 stations over the next three months to target ad revenue and improve earnings from advertising by more than four times than the current ad revenue,” added Prabhu.

To further optimise the service’s potential for advertising revenues, Prabhu also announced the introduction of display screens. “We are soon introducing 20,000 high tech display screens across 2000 stations as rail display network for real time information to passengers and also unlock advertising potential,” Prabhu asserted.

“Railway has typically focused on increasing revenues on tariff hikes,” Prabhu had stated at the beginning of his budget address at the Rajya Sabha.

Stressing the need to increase Indian Railways’ revenue through non-tariff resources and methods at the beginning of his address at the Rajya Sabha, Prabhu also shared his plans to capitalise on the heavy digital traffic on the IRCTC website by engaging in e-commerce activities. “Railway has typically focused on increasing revenues on tariff hikes. IRCTC also has potential to exploit e commerce activities due to the large number of hits,” Prabhu shared.

The minister also announced a special concession for journalists on ticket tariff. “For our journalist friends we will allow e-booking of tickets on concessional passes,” said Prabhu, later adding in jest, “Hoping that they will cover it better.”

February 25, 2016
IBN7 lines up special shows for Union Budget

MUMBAI: As the Modi Government gears up to present its second Union Budget, Hindi news channel IBN7 has lined up a series of pre-budget shows to analyse the overall economic condition of the country with special emphasis on key sectors and major issues that impact common men and women.

These shows will not only include on-ground packages but also include discussions with a panel of top economic experts and policymakers.

The special pre-Budget shows will begin from 15 February and will be aired everyday at 5.30 pm. The pre-Budget shows will culminate into exhaustive Railway and Union Budget day coverage.

The channel will do extensive programming on both the Railway Budget and the Union Budget. The special programming on the Railway Budget will showcase the history of Indian railways, next-generation trains like bullet and other fast trains; security for women passengers across India and debates on major issues including key expectations from the railway budget.

The special shows on the Union Budget will discuss possible policy interventions to address issues relating to inflation, food security, the housing sector including home loans and low-cost housing, education, employment, agriculture etc.

February 15, 2016
IBN7 lines up special shows for Union Budget

MUMBAI: As the Modi Government gears up to present its second Union Budget, Hindi news channel IBN7 has lined up a series of pre-budget shows to analyse the overall economic condition of the country with special emphasis on key sectors and major issues that impact common men and women.

These shows will not only include on-ground packages but also include discussions with a panel of top economic experts and policymakers.

The special pre-Budget shows will begin from 15 February and will be aired everyday at 5.30 pm. The pre-Budget shows will culminate into exhaustive Railway and Union Budget day coverage.

The channel will do extensive programming on both the Railway Budget and the Union Budget. The special programming on the Railway Budget will showcase the history of Indian railways, next-generation trains like bullet and other fast trains; security for women passengers across India and debates on major issues including key expectations from the railway budget.

The special shows on the Union Budget will discuss possible policy interventions to address issues relating to inflation, food security, the housing sector including home loans and low-cost housing, education, employment, agriculture etc.

February 15, 2016
Budget 2015- Returning Indian economy to the path of explosive growth

MUMBAI: With Budget 2015, the entire nation awaits with hope. As Railway Minister, Suresh Prabhu and Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley present the Rail and Union Budget on 26 and 28 February respectively, nearly every economic indicator is favourable – inflation is down, so are crude oil prices, foreign exchange reserves are at a peak and foreign investors are interested again in India’s stock markets.

So, what will Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his team do to return India to the oath of exponential growth?

To decode this much-awaited budget, CNN-IBN and IBN7 will bring rolling coverage on the Rail Budget and Union Budget 26 February (today) and on 28 February, respectively, under the aegis of the specially branded shows Modi Express & The Modi Budget on CNN-IBN and Prabhu Ki Patri & Jaitley Ki Potli on IBN7.

These will be a culmination of a series of pre-budget shows that both channels have been running capturing the mood, expectation and suggestions from a cross-section of individuals from corporate to entrepreneurs to students. With more than 18 hours of live programming on each channel, the network is all set to be the one stop destination for viewers to know everything about the upcoming budgets.

The finest editorial teams of both the channels including Bhupendra Chaubey, Sumit Awasthi, Karma Paljor, Shereen Bhan, Sanjay Pugalia and Anubha Bhonsle will bring budget updates, public reactions and impact assessment.

They will be joined by the country’s most formidable economists and commentators including former member-traffic, railway board SB Ghose Dastidar, Concor/Container Corporation of India founding CMD Raghu Dayal, former additional member, planning, railway board Sumant Chak and Smartwave railway expert / CEO Sanjeeva Shivesh for Rail Budget 2015.

For Union Budget 2015, experts such as India Foundation head Shaurya Doval, Industry and Commerce former secretary Dr. Ajay Dua, former finance secretary C M Vasudev, former chief economic adviser Dr. Arvind Virmani, Sr. Journalist / Columnists Swapandas Gupta and Ashok Malik and former chief economic adviser Dr. Shankar Aachraya will be on-board.

February 26, 2015
Esha Media Research sees surge in demand of Railway Budget 2014 news clips

KOLKATA: As the Union Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda started presenting his maiden Rail Budget in Lok Sabha on 8 July, Esha Media Research, a media monitoring and research company, saw an increase in inquiries, seeking news clips of the Railway Budget.

The enquiries were for news clips in parts or as a whole from different stakeholders and interested parties across the ecosystem including big information technology (IT) companies and foreign direct investors (FDIs). The BJP-led government has mooted railway digitisation and foreign investment to improve the country’s railway system.

Esha Media Research says that it currently monitors 140 channels across the nation in all languages. “We are tracking the entire railway budget and also certain areas like IT, FDI, freights in parts,” Esha Media Research managing director R S Iyer informed indiantelevision.com.

“Tracking for railways is more as compared to last year,” Iyer said. “Apart from business houses, we are also receiving inquiries from media agencies tracking the economic content,” he added. Without mentioning the names of the clients and agencies, he revealed that there are some forums across the world that are interested to know and analyse the seriousness of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government.

“We have been tracking from morning all the government interviews across channels, and they will continue to take place till the end of prime time today, maybe until 11pm. We have also started uploading the files,” Iyer informed.

Gowda, during his budget presentation, said that his Ministry would seek cabinet approval for allowing foreign direct investment in the state-owned network, but passenger services would be excluded.

The Railway Minister proposed work stations in select trains as a pilot project this year apart from offering technology for automatic closing of doors both in main line and suburban sections.

He also said that the e-ticketing mechanism would be strengthened to allow 120,000 simultaneous bookings. The proposed overhaul of the e-ticketing system would support 7,200 tickets per minute as against the current 2,000 tickets per minute

The budget also talked about the expansion scope of online booking, including streamlining of booking on mobiles, and providing Wi-Fi in A1 and A category stations and in select trains. E-procurement would be made compulsory for procurements worth Rs 25 lakh and more said Gowda.

“Overall the budget was crisp and concise and the government played safe by not hiking the fare on the day of the budget but two weeks before it,” said a financial expert.

Stock markets have not reacted very favourably to the railway budget-the BSE closed 562 points down at 4pm today as compared to the its pre-opening at 9am. The NSE CNX Nifty index also closed 2.11 per cent lower than its opening today.

July 8, 2014