Budget 2017 for Railways: No service charge on e-tickets booked on IRCTC

While presenting the Budget for the financial year 2017-18, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced that the service charge on e-tickets booked through IRCTC website and app will be withdrawn.

The Budget for Railways this marks special importance as this is the first time in history when the Railways budget has been presented along with the general budget. 

In his other announcement for Railways, Arun Jaitley announced that the government will move ahead with the listing of Railway PSUs - IRCTC, IRCON and IRFC - and come out with a procedure for a time-bound listing of CPSEs.

Also read | Budget 2017-18 for Railways: Separate safety fund of Rs 100,000 crore

In his Budget speech on Wednesday, the Finance Minister aid the government will look at consolidation option for PSUs and a new CPSE Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) in 2017-18.

"We will come out with a procedure for a time-bound listing of CPSEs. IRCTC, IRFC, IRCON to be listed. For CPSEs we will seek opportunities through consolidation," Jaitley said.

Also read: Budget 2017-18 for Railways: Service charge on e-ticket withdrawn; Separate safety fund of Rs 100,000 crore

Listing of PSUs will ensure economies of scale, investment and decision of PSUs and create value for stock, he said. J

Jaitley said the government will continue to use the ETF route for disinvestment of PSUs. New ETF comprising stocks of 10 PSUs will be launched in 2017-18, Jaitley said.