Belagavi, Dec 11: Alleging that the Congress-JDS coalition government in Karnataka was in a deep slumber like the epic character 'Kumbhakarna,' state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa Tuesday said it had no moral right to remain in power.
The Congress was now regretting its decision to support the JD(S) to form government, Yeddyurappa claimed in the assembly, as he asked the ruling coalition to work towards addressing issues of the people or "resign and go".
Seeking to corner the government on a host of issues, he said the coalition worries in the ruling alliance were "hampering" the administration and developmental works.
Initiating the debate on drought situation in the state, Yeddyurappa said, the government has announced hundred taluks as drought-hit and the situation was such that 20 more taluks are likely to be added to the list.
Demanding answers from the government on drought mitigation measures, he said, according to information gathered by him, except for one or two places, ministers had not visited affected areas and funds were not being utilised efficiently for relief works.
Pointing out at the delay in setting up of fodder banks, he said, "no minister or Chief Minister had taken the situation seriously.
Noting that the state had overall deficit rainfall of about 49 per cent, Yeddyurappa sought to know the steps taken to address the situation with summer approaching fast.
"The government is in a deep slumber like Kumbhakarna.
It has closed it eyes. It is not coming to the rescue of farmers and people at the time when they need it the most," he added.
Coming down heavily on the JD(S), Yeddyurappa while pointing at the promises made by the party ahead of assembly polls, including waiving of farm loan within 24 hours after coming to power, said its manifesto was a "bundle of lies".
"I want to tell this Chief Minister that he had made false promise to the 6.5 crore people of the state through his manifesto of lies," he said.
Stating that he would have wanted the government to complete its five year term if it had fulfilled the promises made and worked for the betterment of the people, the BJP leader said, "after having seen its administration and its functioning, I feel this government has no moral right to stay in power."
Yeddyurappa, the leader of Opposition also questioned Congress' silence on the functioning of the government, headed by its coalition partner the JD(S).
"Have you (Congress) read JD(S)' manifesto, Chief Minister still speaks only about big things, but nothing was happening on the ground," he said.
He alleged that during the previous Siddaramaiah government rule, 4,712 farmers had committed suicide and 489 under the current dispensation.
There was growing disgruntlement within the Congress and "it may explode any time", he claimed.
"People are waiting when this government will go.
you (ruling coalition) work for the people and address their issues or resign and go," he added.
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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.