Jharkhand shutdown evokes mixed response
Ranchi, July 5 : A state-wide shutdown called by the opposition in Jharkhand to protest against an amendment to the Land Acquisition Act authorising direct parchases witnessed mixed response on Thursday.
More than 1,000 people were arrested in different parts of the state after opposition parties' supporters tried to enforce the shutdown against the legal provision allowing the government to acquire land directly from owners.
Most shops and schools remained closed, while buses on long-distance routes were not plying. Train services were affected in Sahebganj district.
The Jharkhand government has warned of strict action against those involved in the violence.
"Anyone found damaging public or private property will be dealt with as per law. They will have to pay for the losses incurred," Home Secretary S.K. Rahate had said on Wednesday.
The Jharkhand Assembly passed the amendment bill by a voice vote in August 2017, while the President cleared it in June.
The state government has maintained that the amendment was necessary as people-oriented projects were getting delayed by the earlier provisions that had capped the direct purchase of land.
Around 5,000 personnel of the state police have been deployed along with two companies of the Rapid Action Force, six companies of the Reserve Armed Police and 3,100 home guards to tackle the situation arising from the protests against the changes made in the Land Acquisition Amendment Act 2013.
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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.
