E P Jayarajan no longer LDF convener, Ramakrishnan will replace him: CPI(M)
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): The ruling CPI(M) in Kerala on Saturday said that its veteran leader E P Jayarajan will no longer hold the post of LDF convener and will be replaced by party leader T P Ramakrishnan.
CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan made the announcement at a press conference here following the party's state committee meeting during the day.
Govindan said that Jayarajan was no longer the LDF convener due to some statements made by him during the Lok Sabha polls and certain limitations he had in carrying out the Left front's activities.
These issues were discussed in the state committee meeting and a decision was arrived at, he said.
The veteran Marxist leader has reportedly been under fire from the party ever since he had admitted, in April, to meeting BJP leader Prakash Javadekar.
Following the revelation by Jayarajan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had cautioned his party colleague to be vigilant in his associations.
Speculation was rife since Saturday morning that Jayarajan had resigned or was removed from the post of LDF convener after he abstained from the CPI(M) state committee meeting and returned to his home in Kannur.
Earlier, the Congress-led UDF opposition used the development to claim that it vindicates their allegation that Jayarajan had links with BJP leaders Prakash Javadekar and Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
Leader of Opposition of the Assembly V D Satheesan said that the development vindicates the UDF claims that Jayarajan had links with BJP leaders.
"Now, it has been proved that what we claimed was true. Not just him (Jayarajan), the CPI(M) in Kerala also has wrong links, including business relations, with the BJP," Satheesan said.
Satheesan also said that the CPI(M) had protected Jayarajan back in April when he had, amidst the Lok Sabha polls, admitted to meeting Javadekar.
"What happened now for such a decision by him is not clear and the CPI(M) has to answer that," the opposition leader said.
Jayarajan, who arrived at his home in Kannur in the morning, did not respond to reporters' queries on whether he was going to resign as LDF convener.
"Will call you if I have anything to say to you," he told reporters.
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.
