Rs 10 ‘dam tax’ on railway tickets afoot

ISLAMABAD: As part of a countrywide fund-raising campaign for dams, Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed has announced a ‘dam tax’ from Rs 1 to Rs 10 on railway tickets, depending on the price of tickets.

According to the minister, the ‘dam tax’ would help generate a significant amount per annum that will eventually be deposited into the dam fund. He also tweeted that the rate of Rs100 ticket will be increased by Rs1 in order to collect money for the dams.

He announced that a tax worth Rs1 to Rs10, varying according to different ticket prices, would be added to the price of train tickets as the Ministry of Railways’ contribution for the Diamer-Bhasha dam fund.

On Sep 8, Mr. Rasheed had announced that the national entity will contribute Rs100 million to Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dam Fund every year.

Speaking to media after a meeting in Lahore today, the minister said it had been decided to remove ghost contractual employees in Pakistan Railways to lessen financial burden on the Railways. He reaffirmed his commitment to bring down deficit of the Railways within one year.

Mr Rasheed said one rupee will be charged on a ticket costing Rs100, while two rupees on a ticket of over Rs100 and Rs10 rupees on every ticket for air-conditioned class. The revenue generated through charging extra fare will go to the dam fund, he added.

He said an agreement has been reached with the Jamshoro Company which will help increase the Railways’ revenue by Rs4 billion. The minister said Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate two new trains on September 14.

The premier on Friday urged the overseas Pakistanis to donate generously for construction of dams in Pakistan to avert the looming water crisis.