SIO's Election Manifesto released in Bhatkal
Bhatkal: Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) Bhatkal unit on Saturday launched the students’ manifesto here in Bhatkal. The manifesto prepared by the organisation’s state unit has several demands of the youth and students community that has been put forth ahead of the Lok Sabha Election.
The manifesto was drafted by the organisation’s state unit and was later sent to sub-units to be released in the respective localities while also conveying it to the local leaders and candidates of the Lok Sabha Election.
“Students and youths are engulfed in various problems across the country. Government and Educational institutions have failed to contest the problems faced by them. It is in this milieu, Students Islamic organization of India, Karnataka zone has decided to come up with the Student Manifesto, in order to make Student issues such as Education and Employment a topic of discussion and Public Discourse” a press release by the organisation stated.
The manifesto focuses on four major areas like Education, Employment, Environment, Human Rights and Social Justice.
Education: In the education section the manifesto cites recommendations of several Education Commissions and seeks expenditure increase on Education to 8% of GDP to train the vast vast human resource to be competitive with rest of developing world and to rectify earlier injustices in educational expenditures.
It further speaks of ‘School for every village’ concept that needs to be introduced in rural areas of the state.
“RTE act should be expanded from the age of birth to age 18 to ensure all children get early childhood education and to encourage sensual, cognitive and sensory development in early age including health and nutrition care, qualitative - equal education in mother tongue or provincial language should be given in neighborhood schools for preliminary opportunities and sustainable development of children” it adds while also stressing upon conducting students union election in every university and college with adherence to Supreme Court’s guidelines.
Employment: The manifesto demands 100% employment guarantee along with certificate and stipend during the period of training for those undergoing skill development training under central governments Skill India scheme.
It also calls for all the vacancies in government posts and public services to be filled within six months after completion of election.
Environment: “State should attempt to replenish waters of dried up lakes. Alternative ways of storing water such as subsurface dams, coastal reservoirs have to be implemented in the state. Environmental flow assessment of rivers has to be implemented to maintain its ecological integrity, to sustain Freshwater and to maintain itself in a desired environmental condition” the manifesto further demands while also adding “State should envision by 2050 to meet all of its power demand from clean, renewable and zero emission energy sources to make sweeping changes to the environment and economy so that economic growth and environment go together”.
Social Justice: Citing Justice Ranganath Misra Commission, the manifesto bats for 10% Reservation in public services and in educational institutions, for students as well as teachers belonging to religious minorities.
Human Rights: Coming down hard on the ‘outdated and draconian laws’ laws such as Section 124A (sedition) of Indian Penal Code, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the National Security Act and amendments to the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and Foreign Contributions Regulation Act as well as the existing laws on blasphemy and criminal contempt of legislature and judiciary, the manifesto suggests that these laws should be done away to protect Democrati liberties of citizens.
“Section 197 of the CRPC must be scrapped to allow for the filing of cases against police officers who commit torture, concoct false cases against innocents and carry out other excesses in abuse of law” it reads in the conclusion.
The manifesto in Bhatkal was released in the presence of Zonal Secretary, Fahimuddin Bidar, District Organiser, Abud Asif, Unit President, Sanaullah Asadi, Unit Secretary, Shuaib SM and Ameer-e-Muqami, Mujahid Mustafa.
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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.
