Congress is ready to make dalit CM: Dinesh Gundurao
Bengaluru, December 27: KPCC president Dinesh Gundurao said that as there were many able Dalit leaders in Karnataka who have the capacity to become chief minister, the Congress was committed to make a dalit leader as chief minister in coming days.
Speaking at a programme organized in memory of former minister B Basavalingappa, organized by the SC Cell of the Congress at Gandhi Bhavan in the city on Thursday, he said that Basavalingappa who had toiled the welfare of the dalit community had the capacity to become the chief minister. But then, he did not get the chance. But now, there were leaders like DCM Parameshwar, KH Muniyappa, Mallikarjuna Kharge and others who have the capacity of becoming the chief ministers. So, in coming days, they could get the chance and dalits should become chief ministers in the state, he said.
The Congress has no hesitation to give positions for dalits in the party. If the SC Cell identified the honest and hard working party workers and recommended them, the Congress would appoint them for various other sections in the party. Dalits could get justice only when the Congress party was strengthened. It was a distant dream from other parties, he said.
If the Congress got complete majority, it would be possible to fulfill all demands. Previous Siddaramaiah government had tried to bring in reservation in promotion for dalits act. But it was not implemented completely, for which he was not happy. But it was not possible in a coalition government. So, everyone should join hands to strengthen the party, he said.
The society still has discrimination like upper caste, lower caste. Until and unless, such discrimination was not eliminated from the society, change would not happen. So, the ideologies of Basavalingappa should be a model to others, he said.
KPCC SC Cell president FH Jakkappa, leaders Ashok, MD Jayaram, Kadiram Rathod and others were present.
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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.
