Centre has not given a single paisa for Kodagu disaster affected: Minister UT Khader
'Pratap Simha lacks information'
Mangaluru, Dec 9: "The central government has not given a single paisa for the rehabilitation of affected people in Kodagu natural disasters. Without knowing proper information, MP Pratap Simha has given statements just for publicity. If the centre has given the funds, let him give statistics", challenged Urban Development and Housing Minister UT Khader.
Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, the Minister said that when the natural disaster struck Kodagu district, it was state government which invested Rs 9.40 crore to construct houses for those who lost houses and became a model to the country. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has just sent an order saying that it would give Rs 546.21 crore for Kodagu rehabilitation work. But the centre has not yet released a single rupee for the purpose. NDRF funds would be equally distributed to 8 districts including Kodagu where natural disaster struck them. It was not just limited to the state. It was a routine process that NDRF would sanction funds to all states for that purpose. If Rs 546.21 crore was distributed equally for all eight districts, each district would get Rs 60 crore which will not suffice to develop just Sampaje road. Kodagu district was declared natural disaster hit district. But the Center has not declared a special package for Kodagu district, he said.
On humanitarian ground, both Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwar released funds. When the houses were collapsed, the state government has given Rs 1 lakh and additional Rs 50,000 compensation against the norms. When there was a problem in North Karnataka during BJP administration, the affected people had to live in sheds for more than six months. But the coalition government has been giving house rent for the families which lost houses. Instead of single bed-room houses, the government has made available double bed-room houses, he said.
If the Lok Sabha Member has concerns and responsibility towards Kodagu people, he should have spoken in the Parliament and asked special package. Instead of speaking about such development works, he has spoken against the Chief Minister for publicity, he said.
Single window system to avoid middlemen
Implementing single window system would avoid the harassment and middlemen menace. The government would officially inaugurate single window system on December 15. Earlier, getting approval for house construction, layout planning and other works would have taken several months. In coming days, such works would be completed within a month and it was a model project to the entire country, he claimed.
People were facing lot of problems. Applications of some people were being rejected despite submitting all records and applications of some others were being accepted even though there were no proper records. In future, such complications would not happen. Officers of all concerned departments would attend the spot inspection and they would upload all information on the spot. All officials would get prior information on spot inspection date, time and details about the place to their mobile phones. This would ensure transparent administration as everything would be digitalized, he said.
Toll-free number for sand distribution
Sand distribution process started in the district since 15 days. If the people called over a temporary number, they would be supplied sand. In coming days, a toll-free number would be started to avoid middlemen. The Sand Distribution Monitoring Committee would fix the price on this new system. The City Corporation would collect sand from Thumbe vented dam and supply it to the people, the minister said.
Self licencing system
For getting NOC to construct 30x40 houses, it would take long time in the existing system. But in coming days, the beneficiaries could get the self licence just by uploading all the documents to the website. If the system was successful in the district, it would be extended to the entire state in future, Khader 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.
