Big victory for democracy: Kejriwal
New Delhi, July 4 : Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday hailed the Supreme Court ruling in favour of the Delhi government that the Lt Governor is bound to act on the aid and advice by the Council of Ministers.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has been engaged in a dragging legal battle with the Lt Governor seeking better and free administrative and governing powers.
"A big victory for the people of Delhi... a big victory for democracy," Kejriwal tweeted.
Calling the ruling a "landmark judgement", Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that from now on the city government would run smoothly.
"Now Delhi government will not have to send their files to LG for approval, now work will not be stalled. This is a big win for the people of Delhi.
"Powers are restored back to Delhi. This verdict stands against the whimsicality of the LG. I thank the Supreme Court -- it's a big win for democracy," Sisodia said.
Kejriwal along with his deputy and other ministers were on sit-in protest at Lt Governor Anil Baijal' residence from June 11 to 19, seeking action against officials they said were on strike and approval for the city government's ration scheme.
The AAP government approached the high court in August 2016 alleging obstruction in its functioning by the Lt Governor. The high court, however, ruled in favour of the Lt Governor, calling him the "administrator of Delhi".
The city government then approached the apex court.
A Supreme Court Constitution Bench on Wednesday ruled in favour of the Kejriwal government, saying that the real powers of governance of Delhi rests with the elected representatives.
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13 lakh litres of 'Rail Neer' supplied to train passengers daily: Government
New Delhi (PTI): Approximately 13 lakh litres of packaged drinking water -- 'Rail Neer' -- are being supplied to train passengers across the railway network daily, the government informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply on Wednesday.
Apprising the Lower House about the Indian Railways' endeavour to provide safe and potable drinking water facilities at all stations, the government also provided zone-wise details of the water vending machines (WVMs) installed there.
"To ensure the quality of drinking water being made available at the railway stations, instructions exist for periodical checking and required corrective action to be taken.
"Regular inspection and maintenance of drinking water facilities is carried out and complaints are attended to promptly," Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said while responding to a question raised by BJP MP Anup Sanjay Dhotre seeking to know the supply of drinking water at railway stations across the country
"Complaints regarding deficiency in services, including water supply, are received through various channels such as public complaints, web portals, social media, etc. These complaints are received at various levels, including the Railway Board, zonal railways, division office, etc.," Vaishnaw said.
"The complaints so received are forwarded to the concerned wings of Railways and necessary action is taken to check and address them. As receipt of such complaints and action taken thereon is a continuous and dynamic process, a centralised compendium of these is not maintained," he added.
Providing zone-wise details of water vending machines, the minister said 954 such machines have been installed across railway stations.
"The Indian Railways also provides safe and affordable packaged drinking water bottles -- Rail Neer -- approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in trains and at stations," Vaishnaw said.
"Approximately, 13 lakh litres of Rail Neer are being supplied per day to the travelling passengers in trains and at stations across the Indian Railways network," he added.
