SL Dharme Gowda elected as Council Deputy Chairman
Belagavi, Dec 19: SL Dharme Gowda of JDS was unanimously elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council on Wednesday.
As soon as the Council proceedings started, Council Chairman Prathap Chandra Shetty began the election process for the Deputy Chairman post. SL Dharme Gowda from JDS was the only candidate for the post. Since Dharme Gowda was the only candidate, Chairman Prathap Chandra Shetty announced his unanimous election as the Deputy Chairman.
Speaking on the occasion, newly elected Deputy Chairman SL Dharme Gowda said that he would allow the healthy debate in the House. Since the Chair has its own respect, he would work to protect it. Seeking the cooperation from ruling and opposition parties, he said that he would conduct the Session apolitically.
“I haven’t expected that I would be considered for the post of Legislative Council Deputy Chairman post. I have never ever asked power. The party has chosen me for the post. I would like to thank former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, PWD Minister HD Revanna, and members of ruling and opposition parties”, he said.
Opposition Leader in the Council Kota Srinivas Poojary said that opposition party has cooperated in electing the Deputy Chairman unopposed. He should uphold the Raja Dharma. The Deputy Chairman should give opportunity to the Opposition party to discuss the burning issues. The opposition party would give full cooperation for conducting the Session smoothly, he said.
It was common in a democratic system that opposition parties criticize ruling party. It was the duty of the opposition party to wield a whip when the ruling party took wrong steps. There was no doubt in the capacity of Dharme Gowda, he said.
Deputy leader of the Opposition in the Council Narayanaswamy said that the Council has given a good message to the country by electing its Chairman and Deputy Chairman unopposed.
Opposition party has also contributed in the unanimous election of Dharme Gowda. While discharging your duties in the Council, you have to control your brother Bhojegowda to ensure free and smooth Session, he said in a humorous way.
BJP members Ayanur Manjunath, Tejaswini Gowda, Pranesh and Narayanaswamy, JDS members Sharavana, Appaji Gowda, Ramesh Gowda and others congratulated Dharme Gowda.
Council leader Dr Jayamala said that Dharme Gowda has ‘dharma’ in his name and she hoped that he would work honestly as the Deputy Chairman. He should conduct the Session like Dharmaraya and the ruling party would extend all support, she added.
Council member CM Ibrahim said that now, he was satisfied after 22 years. Because, he had demanded ministerial berth to Dharme Gowda’s father. But he was not given the ministerial berth. Now, he would congratulate HD Deve Gowda for making Dharme Gowda as the Deputy Chairman, Ibrahim said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
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.
