Increase in MSP 'Diwali gift' for farmers: Amit Shah
Mirzapur, July 4: BJP chief Amit Shah on Wednesday said the Central government's decision to enhance the Minimum Support Price (MSP) by Rs 200 per quintal is a "Diwali gift" for millions of farmers.
He said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is the biggest well-wisher of farmers which reflects in a slew of decisions the NDA government has taken over the past four years.
Talking to reporters here, Shah said the decision of the Central government to give a "historic and never-before 1.5 times minimum support price (MSP) to farmers" is something for which Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be thanked.
"Today is the day of 'Diwali' for crores of farmers across the country and the Modi government has fulfilled its long-pending demand on MSP," the BJP President said.
He asserted that this MSP hike will lead to a drastic improvement in the condition of living of the farmers.
"I congratulate the Prime Minister and his cabinet on this landmark decision which will go a long way in the mission to double the income of farmers of the country by 2022," he added.
First, the effective Crop Insurance Scheme and now the MSP enhancement will go a long way in ringing in prosperity for farmers and reiterates our stated commitment for the welfare of the farming community in the country, Shah said.
He also charged the Congress of "doing nothing for farmers beyond announcements and files" whereas the Modi government is bringing schemes and projects to the ground level.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also hailed the Prime Minister and his Cabinet for the increase in MSP.
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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.
