BJP will stage 'satyagraha' if Cong govt fails to implement election promises, warns Yediyurappa
Davangere (K'taka), Jun 22: Veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa on Thursday warned the Congress government in Karnataka that his party will stage 'Satyagraha' (protests) both inside and outside the Assembly, if it fails to implement the five poll guarantees before the Legislature session, and asked it to quit, if not able to fulfill the promises.
The former Chief Minister said he too will stage demonstrations in front of Vidhana Soudha, the seats of state Legislature and Secretariat in Bengaluru.
He hit out at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his government for "unnecessarily blaming" the Centre regarding the supply of rice for the State's "Anna Bhagya" scheme, calling it an "unpardonable offence" and "betrayal to the people".
"Purposefully, attempts are being made by Siddaramaiah (CM) and Shivakumar (DCM) to point fingers at the Centre with regards to rice. Central government is already giving 5 kgs of rice for free. If they want to give additional quantities of rice, the state government should purchase rice to make arrangements for its supply; instead they are making false promises," Yediyurappa said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, the Congress had given five poll promises, among them only the free bus service scheme for women has been launched and it is operational, amid a lot of hindrances.
"If the other four guarantees are not implemented before the Assembly session begins, it will be inevitable for us to stage 'Satyagraha' inside and outside the House (Assembly). I'm also ready to stage a 'dharna' (demonstration) in front of Vidhans Soudha. So immediately they (Congress) should fulfill their poll guarantees," he added.
The Legislature Session is scheduled from July 3 to 14, which will also see the new government tabling a fresh budget.
Noting that the Congress government unnecessarily pointing fingers at the Centre is an unpardonable offence, the BJP veteran said, "the Centre had nowhere said it will provide rice to the state, so it is betrayal to the people on part of the state government, I condemn it."
Urging Siddaramaiah to fulfill the guarantees, without pointing fingers at the Centre, he said, if not the BJP will be forced to stage 'satyagraha' both inside and outside the Legislative Assembly and Council. "We will do it".
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The Congress won with such a huge majority by betraying people, as they gave guarantee cards to every household. "This Congress government which came to power through false promises, should fulfill the promises. If they don't have the ability, they should quit from power."
The BJP agitations will be planned by the party legislators and leaders, and every one of them will be participating in it, he added.
Yediyurappa, who has held the Finance portfolio in the past, said the Congress should have thought about the financial consequences before giving guarantees.
"Implementing guarantees will lead to shortage of funds for developmental activities. There are already protests against the raise in power tariff. Congress is in a way enjoying power by troubling the people. I condemn it. People will respond to it.
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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.
