India, South Korea sign 11 agreements
New Delhi, July 10 : India and South Korea signed 11 agreements, including in the areas of trade, cultural and scientific and technological cooperation, during the visit of South Korean President Moon Jae-in to India.
The two sides signed a joint statement on Early Harvest Package of the upgraded Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the External Affairs Ministry said on Tuesday.
The Early Harvest facilitate ongoing negotiations on upgrading the India-South Korea CEPA, that came into operation in 2010, by identifying key areas for trade liberalisation.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed that is aimed at anti-dumping, subsidy, countervailing and safeguard measures through consultations and exchange of information through establishment of a cooperation committee comprising government officials and domain experts.
Another MoU was signed for the formation of a Future Strategy Group for cooperation in development of cutting edge technologies for commercialization to reap benefits of the 4th Industrial revolution.
Thrust areas include Internet of Things (IOT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, Smart Factory, 3D printing, electric vehicles, advance materials and affordable healthcare for the elderly and disabled.
A cultural exchange programme for the period 2018-2022 was signed to deepen cultural and people-to-people relations by providing for institutionalised cooperation in fields of music and dance, theatre, art exhibitions, archives, anthropology, mass media programmes and museum exhibits.
An MoU was signed on similar lines to to facilitate upgrade and expansion of the existing monument in Ayodhya commemorating Princess Suriratna (Queen Hur Hwang-ok), a legendary princess of Ayodhya, who went to Korea in 48 A.D. and married King Kim-Suro.
A large number of Koreans trace their ancestry to this legendary princess and new monument will be a tribute to the shared cultural heritage between the two countries.
Other MoUs signed include cooperation in the areas of scientific and technological research, railway research, biotechnology and bio-economics, ICT and telecommunications, and micro, small and medium enterprises.
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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.
