Turn Vegetarian, Jokes Railway Minister

Responding to a question on his Railway Budget, Minister Suresh Prabhu today joked that trains could offer better services if the country turned vegetarian.

During a well-advertised "talkathon" session that invited questions from the public, a person who gave the name Vidhi tweeted to ask why vegetarian and non-veg food served on trains was prepared in the same pantry.

"We will try and have separate pantries for vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. And if there are more people like Vidhi and me, and the country becomes vegetarian then that's better still," the minister said.

Mr Prabhu announced the Narendra Modi government's first Railway Budget today. No fare hikes were announced and no new trains were introduced, but the minister said investment would be increased to Rs. 8.5 lakh crore over the next five years.