No bias towards Bihar: Lalu

Agitated over frequent disruptions in his speech, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad on Friday said BJP led Opposition was "jealous" of the schemes announced for the common people in the Railway Budget, which envisaged the largest ever Plan Outlay of Rs 23,475 crore (Rs 234.75 billion) for 2006-07.

Prasad also refuted charges that West Bengal [ Images ] and other states have been overlooked in terms of new facilities and that only Bihar had been given preference.

"West Bengal has been given 9 new trains besides being given extension of three trains", Prasad told the Post-Budget press conference. He said frequency of 4 trains have also been increased from West Bengal.

When asked why the proposed Eastern freight corridor had not been extended to Kolkata [ Images ] to link up with ports, Prasad said he had no role to play in this.

He said this issue had been discussed in detail with Left leaders including West Bengal Chief Minister Buddadeb Bhattacharya.

Prasad said the corridor is being undertaken on the basis of a RITES survey which had suggested that the corridor be focussed on mining and mineral areas. "In fact the corridor has not touched Bihar and we should be the ones to be protesting", Lalu said amidst laughter.