Recurrent terror attacks common under UPA are now history: Modi
New Delhi, July 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that there has been significant improvement in the internal security situation in the last four years with "recurrent terror attacks that were common under the UPA" now being history and Maoist violence declining by 20 per cent in the affected areas.
In an interview with 'Swarajya' magazine, the Prime Minister said: "I would like to salute our brave security forces who are eternally vigilant and are ensuring peace as well as prosperity for 125 crore Indians.
"You can ascertain our security situation from the fact that recurrent terror attacks that were common under the UPA are now history."
Describing his vision for Jammu and Kashmir, which is under Governor's rule after the BJP withdrew its support last month from the ruling coalition led by the PDP, Modi said: "In Kashmir, our goal is good governance, development, responsibility and accountability."
Asked about possibility of dialogue with stakeholders in Kashmir, he avoided a direct answer.
"We have appointed an interlocutor and he is in touch with many people. He is travelling to the interiors and engaging with people."
On Maoist front, the Prime Minister said geographically, the influence of Maoist violence has shrunk substantially.
"The numbers vis-a-vis Maoist violence in the last four years should make every Indian happy. Maoist violence has declined by 20 per cent in the affected states, with a concomitant reduction of 34 per cent in deaths in 2017 compared to 2013," he said.
Asked whether the area under Left Wing Extremism (LWE) has really shrunk, Modi said 44 out of 126 districts have been removed from the list of LWE-affected areas based on changed ground realities.
"These are the districts that did not see any violence for the last four years.
"It (LWE) adversely impacts the psyche of the local population... Due to the government's policies, about 3,380 Maoists surrendered from 2014 to 2017. From 2010 to 2013, the number stood around 1,380," he said.
Asserting that only development can solve people's problems, Modi said that his government adopted the approach to devote unparalleled resources towards the development of areas prone to violence.
"It is true that Maoist violence had stalled the progress of many districts in central and eastern India. That is why in 2015, our government formulated a comprehensive 'National Policy and Action Plan' to eradicate Maoist violence.
"Along with zero tolerance towards violence, we have also focused on a massive push to infrastructure and social empowerment to bring a positive change in the lives of the poor people in these regions.
"The unparalleled development focus is reaping rich dividends," he said, adding that about 4,500 km of roads have already been built in 34 Maoist-affected districts.
"Work at such speed and scale was not even imaginable," Modi said.
Asked about the threat to his life, the Prime Minister said: "Whenever I am travelling, I see that a lot of people, from all age groups and sections of society, are out on the streets to greet me and welcome me.
"I can't just remain seated in my car, aloof from their display of affection and care. That is why I invariably get down and greet, interact with people as much as I can.
"I am not a Shahenshah or an imperious ruler who is unaffected by their warmth. Being among people gives me lot of strength," he said.
Modi also said the security situation in the Northeast has improved tremendously.
"In 2017, we had the lowest insurgency-related incidents and casualties among civilians and security forces in the last 20 years," he said.
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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.
