Karnataka govt pays compensation to families of minority victims of communal violence
The victims were earlier left out from getting compensation by BJP govt
Bengaluru: The Congress-led government in Karnataka provided compensation of Rs 25 lakhs each to six families who lost their loved ones in incidents of communal violence in the state. The Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, personally handed over the cheques to the family members during a ceremony held on Monday, emphasizing that his government aimed to rectify what he described as the anti-Constitutional policies of the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regime.
Addressing reporters after the event, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reiterated that the government's responsibility was to serve all citizens without favoritism based on caste or religion. He criticized the BJP government's alleged discriminatory practices, which he claimed neglected the families of Muslim victims of communal violence. During his tenure as an opposition leader, Siddaramaiah had voiced his opposition to what he considered the BJP's divisive and discriminatory politics. He stated that his government had taken steps to rectify the previous administration's alleged discrimination.
Furthermore, Siddaramaiah asserted that strict action would be taken against religious fanatics, individuals engaged in immoral policing, and those who incite violence based on caste or religion. He emphasized that law enforcement agencies had been directed to handle such cases firmly.
The compensation was granted to the families of Masood from Kalanja village in Dakshina Kannada district (killed on July 17, 2022), Idris Pasha from Guttalu colony in Mandya (killed on March 31, 2023), Mohammad Fazil from Mangalapete near Mangaluru (killed on July 28, 2022), Shameer from Nargund in Gadag district (killed on January 17, 2022), Abdul Jaleel from Katipalla in Dakshina Kannada district (killed on December 24, 2022), and Deepak Rao, also from Katipalla (killed on January 3, 2018).
The compensation was disbursed from the Chief Minister's relief fund, aiming to provide some financial assistance to the grieving families. It is worth noting that the previous BJP government had not granted compensation, which had sparked controversy as no representatives from the party or government had reached out to the victims' families.
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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.
