Ideological conflict with Maoists creating problems: Army chief
New Delhi, July 3: Asserting that Maoists were trying to take people back in time, the Indian Army chief, General Bipin Rawat said on Tuesday that the ideological conflict was creating problems vis-a-vis the Maoists in the country.
"Maoists have their own ideology. They don't believe in democracy. They are anti-development. They feel the government is taking away what was rightfully theirs," the General said while interacting with students from Chhattisgarh.
The students, on a tour to Delhi, had asked him about the Maoists in their state.
"The Maoists want to take the people back in time. India, as a country, cannot leave them behind while everyone is going ahead," Rawat said.
The Chief of Army Staff said that people could be allowed certain tribal rights "but we cannot allow them to have a primitive lifestyle".
On a query on the demands of leftists guerrillas, Rawat said: "The Maoists don't have very many demands. They only want (to continue with) their tribal way of life. Tribals don't own land, but have certain rights over it."
"They live in resources-rich areas, where the government goes to extract natural riches. In return, the government wants to provide them good education, health and other facilities. But they don't even allow the government to run schools there. They burn down school the government sets up. They need to send their kids to school," Rawat said.
"There is a conflict of ideology which is creating the problem," he said.
Asked how the Maoists manage to get weapons, the Army chief said: "Enough people are willing to sell you weapons if you have the money. So, either the Maoists buy from them or make their own guns. They can also make bombs. Anyone can learn to make bombs from videos available on the Internet."
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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.
