Siddaramaiah to pacify dissidents within Congress
Former minister Ramesh Jarakiholi returns to Belagavi
Bengaluru, December 25: As differences of opinions cropped up among a section of MLAs soon after the expansion of the Cabinet, former chief minister and Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah has decided to pacify the dissidents within the party.
As Ramesh Jarakiholi said that he would take a decision on resigning from his MLA position within four days, Siddaramaiah has decided to speak to Ramesh Jarakiholi and Ramalinga Reddy. Even Congress state incharge and AICC general secretary KC Venugopal is also arriving in Bengaluru today. But suddenly, Ramesh Jarakiholi left for Belagavi.
“I will not meet any Congress leader. I will hold meetings with my workers and supporters and take next decision”, he said.
It is said that Ramesh Jarakiholi is upset over the attitude of some Congress leaders for dropping him from the Cabinet. As soon as he received the invitation from Siddaramaiah for meeting, Ramesh left for Belagavi triggering more scope for suspicion.
When media people tried to speak to him at Hubballi airport, Ramesh said ‘no comments’ and left.
As Ramesh Jarakiholi left for Belagavi suddenly, Siddaramaiah summoned Minister Sathish Jarakiholi to Bengaluru. After taking oath as the minister, Sathish has gone to Belagavi for the first time. Following a call from Siddaramaiah, Sathish is going to Bengaluru to participate in a meeting of Congress leaders.
On the other hand, Siddaramaiah has also invited former minister Ramalinga Reddy for discussion and held meeting at Siddaramaiah’s house.
Meeting with followers
Meanwhile, as the minister post is denied to him, former minister Ramalinga Reddy has decided to convene a meeting of his followers and discuss the further course of action. It is said that he would invite BBMP members of BTM Layout and Jayanagar Assembly constituencies, block Congress leaders, former corporators and other leaders for the meeting.
Recently, Reddy had said that he had some differences with two Congress leaders and he would shortly hold a press conference and disclose it. It is said that Reddy has been trying to convince the party high command through his supporters that his induction into the cabinet is inevitable keeping in mind the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
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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.
