UNI

Kapurthala, May 29: Railway Minister Lalu Prasad on Sunday categorically ruled out the possibilitly of privatization of Indian Railways.

Speaking at a function after inspecting the ongoing work on sleeper coaches for proposed fully airconditioned Garib Raths (Janshatabdis) at the Rail Coach Factory here, he said that all should bear in mind that so long he remained the railway minister, the Indian Railway would not be go private hands.

He said that the railway was working very well with a target to a profit of Rs 20,000 crore during the current fiscal, while it would incur Rs 22,000 crore on extension and strengthening of infrastructure facilities.

"We are aspiring to make Indian Railway number one in the world and we are capable to of acheiving it," he said.

He also caterogically said that RCF would also continue to enjoy its present status and would not be turned into a public sector unit.

The RCF would continue to be an integral part of Indian railway, Mr Prasad said, adding that some sections had aired rumours and speculation about the move of RCF's conversion into a PSU.

"There is no such proposal at any level at any point of time," he asserted, and also assured that no screening or retrenchment of RCF employees would be undertaken.

However, he cautioned that corruption or negligence would not be tolerated and it would be dealt with appropriately.