Bengal: Several protest rallies, demonstrations slated for Sunday over medic's rape-murder
Kolkata (PTI): Numerous rallies and demonstrations are scheduled to be held in Kolkata on Sunday, demanding justice for the trainee doctor who was allegedly raped and killed at the RG Kar hospital here last month.
The ruling TMC and opposition BJP, as well as civil society members, are slated to hold street protests in the metropolis and across West Bengal during the day.
Women members of the TMC will stage demonstrations at different blocks, demanding amendment in laws for capital punishment of rapists, even as the BJP continues its sit-in at Esplanade that started on August 29.
Union minister and BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar had earlier said that the protesters want Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to step down over the medic’s rape-murder.
The West Bengal government has convened a special assembly session on Monday to table and pass a bill, which would provide for capital punishment to convicted rapists.
A ‘Maha Michhil’ (mega rally) consisting of people from different professions is also scheduled from College Square in central Kolkata to Esplanade on Sunday afternoon.
"This is a non-political front and the movement was conceived on social media. It is set to register a turnout of thousands,” a protester said.
On Saturday, students and alumni of different city schools had participated in various rallies in the southern and northern parts of Kolkata.
The alleged rape and murder of the postgraduate trainee has triggered nationwide outrage. The CBI is investigating the case upon directions of the Calcutta High Court.
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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.
