No opportunity to debate ‘drought’: War of words between MLCs
Winter Session
Belagavi, Dec 11: Due to drought situation in majority of the districts in the state, people have been migrating to other places in search of jobs. But when Legislative Council Pro-tem Chairman Basavaraj Horatti rejected the adjournment motion presented by the Opposition BJP seeking time to discuss the issue, there was a war of words between the ruling and opposition party members in the Upper House on Tuesday.
As soon as the Session started on Tuesday morning, Horatti wanted to start question hour. But Kota Srinivas Poojary asked time to discuss the drought issue under Section 68 saying that they have to draw the attention of the government as more than 100 taluks were facing drought situation due to which people and livestock were facing drinking water problem and people have been migrating to other places in search of jobs. Objecting to this, Horatti said that the House should be conducted as per the norms. He would take up the question hour first and later, you will be permitted to discuss the drought issue. So, he would reject the proposal, he said.
Declining to accept it, Kota Srinivas Poojary said that there were instances where the chances were given to discuss such issues before the question hour. Previous Chairman had also given time to discuss the issue. Why you are rejecting the adjournment motion, he asked.
When the BJP members appealed the Chairman to reconsider his decision, JDS members objected it. Once the order is passed from the Chair, it is not good to stall the House proceedings. So, please take up the question hour, they appealed.
“I will give you the time after the question hour. It is not fair to question the decision of the Chair. First learn to respect the Chair”, Horatti said.
Irked by Horatti’s direction, Poojary said that they have not disrespected the Chair. There were instances where such decisions were reconsidered. So, do not curtail the rights of the Opposition leaders. If you stick to your words, they will become helpless, he expressed his helplessness.
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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.
