IRFC celebrates 35th Annual Day

NEW DELHI: Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) celebrated its 35th Annual Day on December 12, 2021 in New Delhi.

Member Finance and Ex-Officio Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Railways, Shri. Naresh Salecha was the chief guest on the occasion.

The programme began with the observance of two-minute silence to pay respects to the first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and other personnel of the Armed Forces who lost their lives during the tragic helicopter crash at Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on 8th December.

Speaking on the occasion, Member Finance and Ex-Officio Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Railways, Shri. Naresh Salecha said, “We must acknowledge the vision of our forefathers who had the courage, conviction and commitment to set up such a company, 35 years ago. IRFC has proved really beneficial for the Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of Finance.”

While addressing the gathering, Chairman and Managing Director Shri. Amitabh Banerjee informed that the cumulative funding by IRFC to Indian Railway Sector has crossed Rs. 4.80 lakh crore mark to end of financial year 2020-21 and is set to cross Rs. 5.50 lakh crore mark by the end of the current financial year.

Shri. Banerjee further said that Indian Railways has embarked on massive investment outlay for modernization, upgradation and growth of Indian railway system. Correspondingly, the funding by IRFC has grown exponentially which is evident from the fact that the cumulative funding has been of the order of Rs 2.95 lac crore during the last 5 years constituting about 61% of the total disbursement made since inception. During the last three years alone, the cumulative funding was to the tune of Rs 2.28 lac crore accounting for 47% of the cumulative funding since inception, Shri Banerjee added.

Renowned Bollywood Singer Shri. Suresh Wadkar, his wife Smt. Padma Wadkar and their band performed live during the event. Sh. Wadkar and his band left the audience spellbound with their scintillating performance. The performance by Suresh Wadkar and his wife was appreciated by one and all.

The Vote of Thanks was proposed by Smt. Shelly Verma, Director (Finance), IRFC.