Railways to launch Ramayana Yatra Express
New Delhi, Aug 23 : The Railways will run a Shri Ramayana Yatra Express from Madurai in Tamil Nadu on November 14 on the Ramayana circuit to cover the major spots related to the Hindu epic, it was announced on Tuesday.
The Indian Rail Tourism and Catering Corp (IRCTC) said the 800-seater train will depart Madurai and complete its journey at Rameswaram, also in Tamil Nadu, in 15 days.
"The train will cover all important destinations associated with the life of Lord Shri Ram in a 16-day all inclusive tour package," it said. This will be spread in India and Sri Lanka.
The package will cover all meals, accommodation and wash and change facilities in dharmashalas, all transfers, sight-seeing arrangements and dedicated tour manager of IRCTC who will travel with the tourists.
The pilgrimage will have two components - one each in India and Sri Lanka.
The Shri Ramayana Yatra Express departing from Madurai will have several boarding stations including Dindigul, Karur, Erode, Salem, Jolarpet, Katpadi, Chennai Central and Renigunta with the first stopover being at Hospet to visit the Ramayana sites of Kishkindha Kandam.
"Further the train will proceed to Nasik Road for visiting the temples at Panchavati (Aranya Kandam), followed by Chitrakoot Dham (Ayodhya Kandam), Darbhanga (Bala Kandam), Sita Marhi, Janakpur (Nepal), Ayodhya and Nandigram (Ayodhya Kandam), Allahabad and Shringvernpur (Aranya Kandam) and Rameshwaram," it said.
The Sri Lanka leg has been planned prior to the train journey with departure from Chennai on November 2. Tne tour will be charged separately.
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Centre further tightens wheat stock limit for wholesalers, retailers & processors
New Delhi: The government on Wednesday further tightened wheat stock holding norms for wholesalers, small and big chain retailers, and processors to curb hoarding and check price rise.
"As part of continuous efforts to moderate prices of wheat, the central government has decided to revise the wheat stock limit applicable until 31st March 2025," the food ministry said in a statement.
According to the revised norms, wholesalers are now allowed to maintain wheat stock up to 1,000 tonne instead of 2,000 tonne, retailer can hold 5 tonne for each outlet instead of 10 tonne, while big chain retailer can hold 5 tonne for each outlet instead of 10 tonne earlier.
Processors will be allowed to maintain 50 per cent instead of 60 per cent of their monthly installed capacity multiplied by the remaining months till April 2025.
The stock limits on wheat were first imposed on June 24 and later revised to tighten the norms on September 9 in order to manage the overall food security and to prevent hoarding and unscrupulous speculation.
The ministry said all wheat stocking entities are required to register on the wheat stock limit portal (https://evegoils.Nic.In/wsp/login) and update the stock position every Friday.
If the stocks held by entities are higher than the prescribed limit, they should bring the quantity to the prescribed stock limits within 15 days of the issue of the notification.
Any entity which is found to have not registered on the portal or violates the stock limits will be subject to suitable punitive action under the Essential Commodities Act,1955.
The food ministry is maintaining close watch over the stock position of wheat to control prices and ensure easy availability in the country.
