Koppal, Dec 30: “Ramesh Jarkiholi will not desert the Congress. It is not true that Ramesh will join the BJP”, Forest Minister Satish Jarkiholi clarified.

Speaking to reporters after greeting newly elected ZP president Vishwanath Reddy at the latter’s house here on Sunday, he told reporters that “Wherever he goes, Ramesh is with us only. We will work together in the coalition government. There is no problem in the party. The Congress-JDS coalition government will function well under the leadership of Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and the govt would complete full five years term”, he exuded confidence.

Following the bear attacks in and around Kudligi in the district for the last few days, he would hold a meeting with the Forest department officials and get information on checking bear attacks on people, he said.

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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.