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Govt move to bifurcate E Railways flayed
New Delhi, July 3 (ANI): CPI-M leader and Member of Parliament Basudev Achariya flayed the government's move to bifurcate Eastern Railway creating a new zone namely East Central zone. Speaking at a press conference in the capital, on Wednesday. Basudev demanded immediate withdrawal of the notification and urged that a committee of experts be appointed to probe the whole matter. "During 53 years of independence our achievement is only 11,000 kms. In 1947 Indian Railways had 47,000 kms of railway tracks but still this measure will definitely hamper growth. That is why we have demanded that the notification issued on 14th of June should be withdrawn and a committee of experts be appointed to study the entire thing". It may be mentioned that on June 14th, 2002, a gazette notification was issued to create a new zone namely East Central zone by bifurcating Eastern Railways. A point to be noted is that the railway reforms committee in 1983 had recommended creation of only three zones that too in a phased manner. The committee had not recommended bifurcation of Eastern Railway. In 1994 the Advisory Committee,appointed by the Ministry of Railways had recommended four zones but it did not recommend bifurcation of Eastern Railways. Acharia emphasized that there are a large number of projects which are pending for years together and there is no fund for the completion of those projects. "We have a large number of pending projects for which there is no fund. Indian railways is carrying a large number of overaged rolling stock. At least 200 electric locomotives are overaged. They require immediate replacement. The overaged weapons need to be replaced. Overaged coaches are still being used. There is an immediate need for clearing the rolling stock for which there is no fund". "To make a zone functional today we will require a minimum amount of Rs 500 crore. Indian railways is facing resource crunch. The depreciation reserve fund is dwindling. There has not been any expansion of railway network. In spite of this the railway minister has announced the creation of two new zones". The minister further stated that Indian Railways is the symbol of unity and integrity and the decision of the Ministry of Railways will only create division among the people and cripple Eastern Railways.(ANI) Hoon arrives, to meet Vajpayee
New Delhi, July 3 (ANI): British Defence secretary Geoff Hoon arrived in the capital from Islamabad on Wednesday to try to further defuse tensions between India and Pakistan on the third leg of a regional tour. In Islamabad Hoon met President Pervez Musharraf among other officials. He is due to meet Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Thursday. Hoon, who is due to meet Defence Minister George Fernandes is likely to discuss defence issues. "Mr Hoon's visit to Pakistan and India comes in the wake of similar visits by the prime minister and the foreign secretary to help defuse tensions between India and Pakistan," a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence in London said. Pakistan and India moved to the brink of war this year in a dispute over the Himalayan region of Kashmir, but tensions have eased after intense international diplomacy from the United States, Britain and other countries.(ANI) Infiltration again on the rise: Yashwant
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to top New Delhi, July 3 (ANI): Newly appointed Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha said on Wednesday militant incursions into Kashmir from Pakistani side are again on the rise after a brief slowdown. On May 27, Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf said no infiltration was taking place across the Line of Control. Musharraf also pledged Pakistan would not allow its territory to be used as a base "for terrorism against anybody". Addressing his first press conference as Foreign Minister, Sinha said India was looking for credible action from Pakistani side over a complete halt on terrorist incursions into its country. "Quite clearly we are also looking not only at the assurance from Pakistan that infiltration from across the border of terrorists will be permanently stopped but we are looking for visible and credible signs of that action. We have already said that our responses will depend on the action on the part of Pakistan as far as this aspect is concerned," said Sinha. Sinha brushed aside any third party mediation to resolve the vexed Kashmir issue. "There is absolutely no scope for any third party intervention or role as far as the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is concerned between Pakistan and India," Sinha said. Jammu and Kashmir has been the centre of dispute between the two nuclear rivals who have fought two of their three wars over it since gaining independence from British in 1947. India and Pakistan backed away from a war over Kashmir after Musharraf's pledge to stop Islamic militants from crossing into Kashmir to join a revolt against New Delhi's rule. But India has said it will keep its army massed on the border until it is convinced infiltration has halted.(ANI)
Chandrababu Naidu meets Pant, Jaswant Go to top New Delhi, July 3 (ANI): The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, along with senior ministers and state officials on Wednesday met Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, K.C. Pant, to finalize the outlay for the Tenth Plan(2002-07) and Annual Plan (2002-03) of the state. Among other senior ministers and state officials present at the meeting was the former Chief minister of Delhi, Sahib Singh Verma. At the meeting K.C. Pant said, "The work of the Planning Commission is to talk to every state and fix an outlay and an annual Plan. This year we have to fix the outlay for the tenth plan.So in areas where there is a possibility of development, we give full encouragement". He further said that it is not a question of development of the state or centre, but a matter of the development of the country. On being asked by the media that his state was taking help from the centre, Chandrababu said " We are going for reform and at the same time we are improving our performance.But it is a wrong impression that we are taking money from the centre." He promptly added that the centre is taking necessary steps for the improvement of the economy. Later in the day Chandrababu Naidu also met the newly appointed Finance Minister Jaswant Singh at his residence.(ANI)
Emphasis will fall on foreign tourism, says Vinod Khanna
Go to top New Delhi, July 3 (ANI): Aggressive marketing and thrust on foreign tourism will be the two operational priorities for the Tourism Ministry, according to Vinod Khanna, the new Minister of State. Addressing his first press conference here on Wednesday after taking over charge, he noted that the September 11 aftermath did cast a shadow on tourism in India. Following the war in Afghanistan and the situation in the subcontinent, western nations issued travel advisories to their citizens restricting travel to the region and though these were withdrawn later, it's not full-fledged green signal yet. However, in spite of the setbacks, tourist arrival in India fell by 17 per cent, not too high a figure in his estimate. Khanna said that there is good potential for improvement and hence the nation must project itself in this area firmly and purposively. The need of the hour is proper infrastructure and creation of the scope for more international flights. For the latter, his ministry will have to work in coordination with the Civil Aviation department. Kerala and Rajasthan have emerged as good tourist spots, he added and pointed out that the Ranjit Sagar dam built over the river Ravi in Punjab enabling the construction of a 20-km lake will be a big draw. And if Kashmir has ceased to be in the visitors' list for obvious reasons, Himachal Pradesh has taken much of its place. Delhi, he further noted, has been the entry point for 48 per cent of foreign tourists. Tourism, the minister observed, has only recently been regarded as an industry and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, in his speech from the Red Fort, had described it as a prime area of activity which can reap immense benefits. The latest budget allocation has been encouraging, Khanna stated. Opportunities for development are tremendous, he said in reply to a question. Only the bottlenecks are to be eliminated. Time has now come to present India as a safe and rewarding destination for tourists, now that foreign governments have reopened the door for their travellers. In this connection, the Hotel Association of India has a role to play and the private sector may also be roped in for contribution to this effort, Khanna affirmed. A Bollywood product, he also stated that he will try to persuade the film industry to develop comfortable and attractive places for shooting which foreign movie makers will also be able to utilise, thus opening another avenue for tourism. Attempts must be made, he further said, for World Heritage recognition of more monuments in India. Bodh Gaya is the latest example. (ANI)
Arun Kumar Singh Munna new UPCC chief Go to top New Delhi, July 3 (ANI): Arun Kumar Singh Munna has been appointed president of the UP Congress Committee (UPCC). The announcement was made on Wednesday by AICC Treasurer Moti Lal Vora, who is incharge of UP affairs. Sri Prakash Jaiswal resigned last month as the PCC chief in the wake of the party's poor performance in the assembly elections and the subsequent by-elections.(ANI) |