Sonam Wangchuk led ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’ starts from Leh in support of 4-point agenda
Leh, Sept 1: More than 100 volunteers led by renowned innovator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk started a foot march from here to the national capital on Sunday to urge the Centre to resume the stalled dialogue with the leadership of Ladakh on their four-point agenda.
The ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’ was organized by the Leh Apex Body (LAB), which along with Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), are jointly spearheading an agitation over the past four years in support of statehood, extension of the Constitution’s sixth schedule, early recruitment process along with a public service commission for Ladakh and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.
The talks between Ladakh representatives and the Central government ended in March without any concrete outcome.
Amid chants of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai and “we want sixth schedule”, LAB chairman Thupstan Chhewang flagged off the march from NDS Memorial park with Wangchuk expressing hope that the government will greet them with a good news on reaching Delhi on Gandhi Jayanti, marking the birth anniversary of father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi, on October 2.
“It is a matter of satisfaction that people from all sections of the society, including elders, women and youngsters, have joined this march in support of our demands…Sixth schedule of the Constitution and UT with legislature is our democratic right as we want development and management of the region in accordance with our wishes and aspirations,” said Wangchuk, who earlier in March held a 21-day long hunger strike in support of the demands.
He said this is a people’s movement and the government should fulfill the demands of the Ladakhis without a second thought.
“We are sharing borders with Pakistan and China who may be boasting of their technology but I want to tell my country that Indians should be proud of the people of Ladakh who are ready to sacrifice their lives for the nation,” he said.
Expressing confidence that more people will join the march enroute to Delhi via Himachal Pradesh, he said the people are enthusiastic which is evident that even a 90-year-old Ladakh citizen, who lives in Switzerland, is ready to join them in Delhi.
“This is another phase of our struggle and the KDA is not joining this march at the initial stage but will definitely give a positive response as the march moves to Delhi,” Chhewang said.
Tsering Dorjey, an elderly participant, said though his health will not allow him to cover the full distance of around 1,000 km by foot but “I will try to be part of the march as long as I can”.
“By this march, we want to convey a message that we are very serious with regard to our four demands,” he said.
MONTH-LONG LEH-DELHI PADYATRA MARCH BEGINS
— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) September 1, 2024
Hello Delhi, see you at Rajghat on Gandhi Jayanti, 2nd October...
We are coming to encash a cheque....#DelhiChalo #SaveLadakh #SaveHimalayas pic.twitter.com/u8Q2BHAN7v
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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.
