IOC Bahrain chapter celebrates Indian Republic day and martyrs day
Bahrain: Indian overseas congress (IOC) Bahrain Chapter celebrated 71st Indian Republic Day Under the leadership of IOC President Mohammed Mansoor, the event took place at the Banquet Hall of the Arman Hotel- Juffair. The event started with the national anthem of India. The entire audience took oath to adhere and safeguard the Indian Constitution while Mansoor read its Preamble.
The welcome speech was given by Khursheed Alam (Gen Secretary IOC).
Dignitaries, Officials & Representatives of various Indian state forums attended the event, which included Srikrishna Bhatt (Karnataka), Binu Kunnanthanam (President of OICC- Kerala), Hassainar Kalathingal (President KMCC - Kerala), Ibrahim Adham (President OICC youth wing - Kerala), Anas Rahim (President IYCC), Sajid Warsi (U.P), Mohammad Izharul, Haque-Delhi, Mohammed Gayaz-Mysore, Sajjad Khan-Bihar, Abdul Raheem-Hyderabad, and IOC-Bahrain Office Bearers Raju Kallumpuram (Vice President) , Sovichan Chennatusery (Vice President), Jayafar Maidani and Santosh Austin (Secretary), The event was also graced by Indian Club Gen Secretary, Job and Debashis Banerjea-President Lions Club of Riffa, Mohammed Musalliar, Gafoor Kaipamangalath (KMCC Vice President) and various leaders of OICC and IOCC were present.
The vote of thanks was given by Basheer Ambalayi (Gen. secretary IOC). Sharvani Manjunad and Master Manvit presented patriotic songs. The event was conducted by Mrs. Shamily P John-Former Secretary of Indian School EC , A poet and professor in University of Bahrain.
The event was concluded by paying homage with a documentary on Mahatma Gandhi to mark his death anniversary, 30th January also known as Martyr’s Day in India.
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Railways: FM Sitharaman allocates Rs 2.77 lakh crore for capital expenditure
New Delhi (PTI): Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday allocated Rs 2,77,830 crore to the Ministry of Railways for capital expenditure in the financial year 2026–27.
The Budget allocation includes the construction of new lines and the purchase of locomotives, wagons, and coaches, among other works.
The ministry had received Rs 2,52,000 crore in FY 2025–26. The current allocation for the upcoming financial year is 10.25 per cent higher, making it the highest ever. Besides, the ministry will get Rs 15,000 crore from Extra Budgetary Resources, the document showed.
According to the Budget document, the railways’ total earnings are projected at Rs 3,85,733.33 crore, while expenditure is estimated at Rs 3,82,186.01 crore, resulting in a surplus of Rs 3,547.32 crore at the end of the financial year.
"Since the railways' earnings are too meagre to fund asset creation and support new works, it receives funds from the government. Accordingly, the ministry has been allocated Rs 2,77,830 crore to undertake activities such as laying new lines, converting narrow gauge to broad gauge, and constructing double lines on single-line routes," a railway official said.
The Budget document has earmarked funds from the Rs 2,77,830 crore allocation for various construction and asset creation projects. These include Rs 36,721.55 crore for new lines, Rs 4,600 crore for gauge conversion, Rs 37,750 crore for doubling, Rs 52,108.73 crore for rolling stock (locomotives, wagons, etc.), and Rs 7,500 crore for signalling and telecom, among others.
The allocation under the signalling and telecom head is significant as the automatic train protection system, Kavach, falls under this department. The ministry has laid strong emphasis on expanding Kavach coverage across the rail network.
The document also presents the actual earnings and expenditure of the railways in 2024–25. During the year, railways earned Rs 3,35,757.09 crore and spent Rs 3,32,440.64 crore, recording a surplus of Rs 3,316.45 crore. The budgetary allocation for the year stood at Rs 2,51,946.56 crore.
"As far as FY 2025–26 is concerned, the actual figures for earnings and expenditure will be available only after the financial year ends,” an official said, adding that largely earnings and expenses are on expected lines with minor changes.
Out of the total expenditures of the railways, the biggest share goes on paying pensions to its employees.
According to Budget documents, expenditure on pensions was Rs 58844.07 crore in 2024-25, which is expected to rise to Rs 74500 crore in 2026-27.
