India News

New Delhi: Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday that the railway catering policy in under revision.

Presenting the Railway Budget for the year 2010-2011, Banerjee said: “Since Railways has received several complaints, it is decided to provide catering departmentally in selected trains. The catering policy is under revision and will be finalized as early as possible.”

She informed the House that Railways has introduced Janata Ahar, economically priced food, in many stations.

Banerjee also assured the members that her ministry is going for a special drive for improving passenger amenities and cleanliness.

“To provide basic facility of clean drinking water, six new bottling plants at Ambala, Amethi, Mal, Nasik, Farakka and Trivandrum through the public-private partnership (PPP) route will be started with the mandate that bottled fresh water will be provided at stations at much cheaper rates,” she said.

Banerjee said a major thrust is being given to the development of passenger amenities. Financial powers of field officers have been increased for quick execution of works.

She said Railways is projected to spend a record of Rs.1,302 crore in 2010-11 for passenger amenities.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said Indian Railways is ready for public private partnership which would help to develop railway infrastructure as well as promoting industrial activities.

Presenting the Railway Budget in the Parliament, Banerjee said: “In order to promote industrial activity, the Indian Railways would welcome investment through public private partnership (PPP) mode for providing rail connectivity to important ports.”

She also announced that additional 2,000 kilometres routes would be electrified within two years. 

Work on adding another 12,000 kilometres in existing Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) network of the Railways is in progress, she said.

The balance 15,000 kilometres is proposed to be taken through public-private investment mode, thus covering entire railway network. 

Announcing up-gradation and modernization of the Kolkata Metro, the only metro with Indian Railways, Banerjee said: “Metro Station at Park Circus, Maidan, M.G. Road, Chandni Chowk and Rash Behari will be remodeled and network will be extended at four sections.”

She also announced augmentation of sub-urban train services in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. 

Banerjee proposed special trains – Sanskriti Express, across the country, to mark 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore.

She also announced ladies special trains Matribhoomi Express in Kolkata, Chennai, New Delhi and Mumbai and Karmabhoomi trains, unreserved trains for common people between Darbhanga-Mumbai, Guwahati-Mumbai and New Jalpaiguri-Amritsar. 

Similarly, Janmabhoomi Trains specially for uniformed persons, between Ahmedabad and Udhampur, Bharat Tirth trains for tourists connecting popular sites in different parts of the country will be introduced during the year.

She also proposed four new Durontos trains between Chandigarh and Amritsar, between Chennai and Coimbatore, between Puri and Howrah and between Howrah and Digha.

Reiterating Government’s commitment for the common man, Banerjee announced that there will be no increase in passenger fares of any class and in freight tariffs. 

In spite of tight resource position, the Railways has also proposed to reduce an amount of Rs.100 per wagon in freight charges for food-grains and domestic use of kerosene as a gesture to common man. 

The Minister also announced reduction of service charges maximum to Rs.10 for Sleeper Class and Rs.20 for AC Class. 

She also announced 100 per cent concession for cancer patients going for treatment together with an escort in AC 3 class. 

Technicians of regional film industry when travelling for film production related work would also be eligible for 75 percent concession in second sleeper and 50 percent concession on other classes in all trains.

The Minister also announced that concession under Izzat scheme, for press correspondents and students of madrasas will continue.

Source ANI

Karachi: Despite there being ‘presidential level’ security arrangements made for the Pakistan Hockey team, which is currently in New Delhi to take part in the Hockey World Cup, Pakistan coach Shahid Ali Khan has alleged that there is nothing ‘extra ordinary’ regarding the security cover.

Indian authorities had assured of a VVIP security cover to all the visiting teams during the World Cup scheduled to be held from February 28 to March 13 in New Delhi after receiving threats from banned terror groups.

Khan said the security cover being provided to his team was similar to what seen in any international event in Pakistan.

“We get police escorts when we go to the stadium for practice and there are a few security people on our hotel (Le Meridian) floor and that’s it. Its nothing extra-ordinary,” The News quoted Khan, as saying.

However, he said that the team is not bothered about the security issue and is completely focussed on the ‘explosive’ opening match against arch rivals India on February 28.

“We are here for world hockey’s biggest competition and we want to give our best in it.It is the biggest match of the event and we are totally focusing on it,” Khan said.

Though Pakistan has beaten India thrice in 2009, Khan said being the host nation India would have an added advantage.

“Home advantage can be a big plus point in such high-pressure matches. But in a way, India will also be under extra pressure because of high expectations of home fans. That can work in our favour,” he added.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced that the railway recruitment examinations would be conducted in regional languages.

Presenting the Railway Budget in the parliament here, Banerjee said: “Recruitment policy of Railway Recruitment Boards (RRB) has been reviewed.  Now onwards, question papers will be made available in local state languages also besides Hindi, Urdu and English, examination will be held simultaneously by all RRBs for a particular post.”

She also proposed extension of  ‘Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana’ to all licenced porters, vendors and hawkers.  She also proposed setting up a Railway Cultural and Heritage Promotion Board and Shambhu Mitra Cultural Complex at Howrah for the employee. 

Rabindra Museum at Howrah and Gitanjali Museum at Bolpur are also proposed to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, she said. 

In order to upgrade railway infrastructure, Banerjee said that a centre for Railway Research will be set up at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur for research in key areas of railway technology and a state-of-the art advanced loco pilot training centre at Kharagpur and an advanced railway track training centre at Beleghata.

To overcome of the shortage of coaches, new coach factories are being set up at Rae Bareilly, Kancharapara and Palakkad.   

A wagon repair shop will be set up at Badnera and a new Rail Axle Factory will be set up at New Jalpaiguri through public- private partnership (PPP) or Joint Venture mode. 

Besides 5 state-of-the-art wagon factories also through joint venture and public- private mode at Sikandrabad, Barddhaman, Bhubneshwar and Kalahandi, Guwahati and Haldia. 

Bangerjee also announced ‘Kisan Vision Project’ for manufacturing refrigerated container for carrying agricultural products so that farmers are not forced for distress sale of their produce. 

Proposing several new initiatives for freight business, Banerjee said Railways would introduce a modified wagon investment scheme for high capacity general purpose and special purpose wagons for carrying iron ore, coal and cement. 

A scheme to run special freight train by private operators for commodities such as automobiles, vegetable oil, molasses, chemicals and petrochemicals will be notified. 

A premium “Tatkal Service” for parcel and freight movement besides special wagons for iron ore, fly ash, automobiles will also be introduced.

Reiterating Railways’ commitment for time bound completion of dedicated corridors, Banerjee said preliminary engineering-cum-traffic surveys for North-South, East-West, East-South and South-South corridors will be taken up this year.

She also said that Railways is also working on high speed passenger rail corridors, a National High Speed Rail Authority will be set up for planning, standard setting and implementing these projects.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Former Railway Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Wednesday said that he would like to ask Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee that which statistics she used to prepare the Railway Budget.

Before even presenting the budget, Banerjee drew ire from her predecessor Yadav who asked about the accounting system she followed to prepare the Railway Budget.

"She had raised question on my accounting in my Railway Budget. I just want to ask her one question with due politeness, that, is she presenting the Budget with some new accounting system or she is using the previous figures, used in my previous Budget on which she raised questions," said Lalu.

Earlier, Banerjee had criticised Yadav for misinforming people on the railways'' earnings during his tenure.

She had blamed Yadav of using accounting terms to inflate revenue and profits of the railways.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced that the Indian Railway would introduce double-decker train-sets as a pilot project.

Presenting the Railway Budget for the year 2010-2011 in the parliament here, Banerjee said: “Double-decker train-sets matching the best in global standards will be introduced in two trains each from Delhi and Kolkata as a pilot project.”

Declaring that passenger amenities are a very high priority of the Government, she said that a number of initiatives are being taken for this purpose. 

“Modern trolleys at all important stations with uniformed attendants will be introduced to assist senior citizens and women passengers for carrying their luggage,” Banerjee said.

The Railway Budget also proposed to initiate SMS updates of reservation status and movements of wagons to freight customers.

Mobile vans for issuing e-tickets will be extended to government medical college hospitals, court complexes, University campus, IT hubs, IITs and IIMs. 

Banerjee also announced that railway reservation ticket centres would also be opened at district headquarters and village panchayats to give more facility to common man.

In order to bring more transparency in freight business, Banerjee announced RFID technology will be introduced for tracking of wagons, allotment of the rakes would be accessible through the web.

Highlighting efforts being made for safety and security of the passenger, Banerjee said the railway is developing crashworthy coaches and locomotives and will provide automatic fire and smoke detection system in 20 pairs of long-distance trains as pilot project. 

She announced that manning of further 1,000 level crossing will be taken up during the budget year and added that in coming five years, all the unmanned level crossing will be manned. 

To assure full security to women passengers, Banerjee announced that formation of 12 companies of women Railway Protection Force (RPF), named “Mahila Vahini.”

Source ANI

New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar on Wednesday refuted the demand of the Opposition for admitting an adjournment motion in the House on the issue of price rise.

The issue of price rise had triggered turmoil in the House and led to its brief adjournment.

After setting aside the Question Hour and permitting members to speak on the need for an adjournment motion, Kumar said the prices of food items had not risen all of a sudden and set aside the opposition demand citing rules of procedure and precedence.

Meira Kumar however allowed a short discussion in the matter immediately after the presentation of the Railway Budget.

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Gurudas Dasgupta said it was the Speaker''s right to admit an adjournment motion and government''s permission was not required for the same.

"It is our right, by the rule book, to demand an adjournment motion. If the government stands in the way, it will send a wrong message to people that it does not want to recognise price rise as a serious issue," Dasgupta added.

Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader Sharad Yadav said there was a huge difference between the understanding of the opposition and the government, which states adjournment motion, should be accepted to debate on matters of urgent public importance.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav said both the state governments and the Centre are blaming each other for the price rise.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Union Home Secretary G K Pillai is expected to visit Nagaland on Saturday to discuss the current situation with the senior state government and Army officials.

Official sources Pillai will also attend the 175th anniversary and Attestation Parade of Assam Rifles at Sukhovi, around 26 kilometers from Dimapur.

Director General of Assam Rifles Lt Gen Karan Singh Yadav would also be present at the celebration and Attestation Parade.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee presented the Railway budget for the year 2010-2011 without any increase in the passenger fares for the second consecutive time.

The Rail Budget reduced the service charges for e-tickets and freight charges for foodgrains.

Banerjee has proposed Rs.41,426 crore, the highest ever plan investment to provide efficient, customer focused and modern railway network. 

Out of this allocation, Rs.4,411 crore have been proposed to achieve the target of 1,000 kms. for new lines and Rs.1,302 crore for passenger amenities. 

The plan would be financed through gross budgetary support of Rs.15,875 crore, diesel cess of Rs.877 crore, internal resources of Rs,14,523 crore and EBR of Rs.10,151 crore including market borrowing through IRFC of Rs.9,120 crore. 

In her budget address, Banerjee said, the Railway is committed to take up socially desirably projects connecting backward areas of the country. 

“Surveys for 114 projects for such areas will be updated and surveys for 55 new lines will be taken up during the year,” Banejee said. 

 She said that 800 kilometre gauge conversion and 700 kilometre of doubling the rail line will be achieved during the year besides a number of new projects on cost sharing with state governments or through public private partnership method.

Banerjee also proposed 52 new train services to meet increasing demand of passengers, increase in frequency of 12 train services, extension of 21 trains and introduction of some special trains.

Reiterating the Government’s commitment to provide efficient railway network within the reach of common man, Banerjee said the target has been set to add 25,000 km of new lines in next 10 years. 

A Special Task Force (STF) to clear proposals for investments within 100 days will be set up, policy guidelines will be made easy, simple and investment friendly so that business community can join hands to build partnership with the Railways.  

Banerjee also assured the House that that investment form business community does not mean that Railway is going for privatisation and it would remain a Government organization.

Highlighting the initiatives taken recently, Banerjee said that within a span of seven months, significant achievements have been made. 

She announced that out of 120 new trains, extensions and increase in frequencies announced in last budget, 117 would be flagged off by the end of 2010. 

Special drive for improving passenger amenities and cleanliness has been taken up. 

She said that the railway catering policy is under revision to provide better food and announced the setting up of six bottling plants to be set up to provide clean drinking water.  

Banerjee announced that 94 new stations will be developed as Adarsh Stations and 10 more stations will be upgraded as world class stations. 

She also announced construction of another 93 multi-functional complexes and to develop multi-level parking complex through public-private partnership model.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has not proposed any hike in passenger or freight rates.  

Presenting her second Rail Budget in the Lok Sabha, Banerjee said Railways will not be privatised but will develop business models for improving earnings.

On the rail safety front she said all the 13,000 unmanned level crossings will be manned in next five years and announced creation of Women Wing of Railway Protection Force.

Highlighting efforts being made for safety and security of the passenger, Banerjee said that the railway is developing crashworthy coaches and locomotives and will provide automatic fire and smoke detection system in 20 pairs of long-distance trains as pilot project. 

While ruling out any forcible acquisition of land for freight corridor projects She allowed  private operators to run special freight train.

In a budget which she claimed was focused on ''''aam aadmi'', she said a special task force would be set up to clear Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) proposals in Railways within 100 days.

"One thousand km rail lines will be completed in one year and a special drive will be launched for passenger amenities, she added.

Source ANI

New Delhi: National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) General Secretary Th Muivah is expected to arrive New Delhi on Saturday (February 27) to hold talks with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

Sources said Dr Manmohan Singh has invited Th Muivah for talks and he would be arriving here from Amsterdam. The two leaders are expected to have talks on March 2 and March 3.

Meanwhile, a five-member delegation of the proscribed National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) has left Dimapur for New Delhi to make necessary arrangements for the proposed visit of their general secretary Th Muivah.

The delegation that will arrive in New Delhi from Dimapur includes steering committee members Tongmeth Wangnao, Johnny Dilbung, Vikiye Awomi and Imcha Longkumer.

The delegation will also meet the Nagas residing in New Delhi and make arrangements for a reception for their leader.

There are reports that the delegation would also monitor the security aspects prior to the arrival of Th Muivah.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Peter Varghese, has hailed the ‘Vindaloo Against Violence’ campaign in which thousands of Australians gathered to eat at Indian restaurants in a show of solidarity with the Indian community.

“This is a simple but telling gesture from the Australian community to India and the Indian members of Australia’s community. This initiative will help in building bridges and restoring the trust, respect and friendship that exists between the broad Australian community and its valued members of Indian origin,” Varghese said in a statement.

“Australians love the diversity of our multicultural society and have categorically rejected the events of the recent past – they have no place in a society as culturally plural as ours,” it added.

Meanwhile, Victorian Premier Brumby dined with representatives of the Indian students community at a popular Indian café, Desi Dhaba in Melbourne.

“The Vindaloo Against Violence initiative is a unique opportunity for Victorians to unite and send a message that the actions of an ignorant few will not be allowed to undermine the reputation of Melbourne as a peaceful and friendly city,” Brumby said.  

“Victoria’s cultural diversity is one of our strengths and any attack on our community is an attack upon us all. Any attack motivated by race or prejudice is particularly disgraceful,” he added. 

The idea for ‘Vindaloo Against Violence’ campaign originated when Mia Northrop, 35, a digital media professional from Flemington, invited 100 friends on Facebook to dine out to support the Indian community. Soon, her idea gathered pace beyond expectations.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday presented the railway budget in the Parliament.

The highlights of the Railway budget 2010-11 are as follows:

New Express train between Ahmedabad-Udhampur

Extension of Kolkata Metro on priority

Railways spending seen at Rs 87100 crore in 2011

Achieve 1000 km electrification in 2011

54 new trains this year

Karmabhoomi special trains for those travelling on work

Matribhoomi special trains for women

Bharatpeeth train in the name of Rabindranath Tagore will travel to 16 destinations across India

Railways spending seen at Rs 87100 crore in 2011

Relief for cancer patients in sleeper class

1st track to connect Port Blair to Diglipur.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday presented the railway budget in the Parliament.

The highlights of the Railway budget 2010-11 are as follows:

Railways to set up Rabindra Museum in Howrah and Geetanjali Museum in Bolpur both in West Bengal to commemorate Rabindranath Tagore''s 125th birth anniversary

Chittaranjan Locomotive Works capacity to be augmented from 200 to 275 engines a year.

Wagon Repair Shop to be set up in Badnera near Amravati in Maharashtra

Integral Coach Factory in Chennai to be modernised and a new unit to be set up there

If land is available, Railways willing to set up a Diesel Multiple Unit factory in West Bengal

High-speed dedicated passenger corridors to be constructed; National High Speed Rail Authority to be set up.

Revenue from non-core business of Railways to go up from Rs 150 crore to Rs 1,000 crore

Allocation for construction of new lines increased from Rs 2848 crore to Rs 4411 crore

Rs 1,302 crore provided for passenger amenities in the 2010-11 railway budget against Rs 923 crore last year

Railways to develop ten automobile hubs

Funding for all metro projects raised by 55 per cent

To start rail link to Bangladesh

Kashmir role link to be extended to Sopore

Railways to have master plan for North Eastern region.

Source ANI

Amritsar: Following the brutal beheading of two Sikhs by Taliban in Pakistan, refugee Sikhs, hailing from Peshawar in Pakistan living in Amritsar have demanded that they should be given citizenship so that they can live in India safely with their families.

 

The refugee Sikhs expressed that their families and relatives in Peshawar and other tribal areas are under severe threat from Taliban and repatriation will cost them their lives as well.

 

About 60 Sikh families from Pakistan have taken refuge in Amritsar for the last couple of years.

 

Fearing intimidation from Taliban, the minority community has asked for adequate security from the Indian Government.

 

"Our mother, father, brothers and sisters are still living in Peshawar. It has been almost 15-16 years that we have been living here in India. We are happy here but our relatives back home are facing a tough time,” said Sardar Singh, a refugee.

 

“It has been 15 years since we came to Punjab, but we haven''t got citizenship as yet. Thus we can''t even bring our relatives from Pakistan here,” he added.

 

A few Sikh families hailing from Pakistan, particularly from the rebel-controlled areas of Peshawar, have settled in India''s northern Punjab state and established their business here.

 

“People there tell our folks to leave and go to Punjab and people in Punjab say that you are foreigners. I ask which is my country. Am I a citizen of Pakistan, India or Afghanistan?"  Sardar Singh questioned.

 

The Sikh refugees said that they approached the government several times and even sent request letters but many of them are still to get the Indian citizenship.

 

"We demand that the Indian government should give us citizenship so that we can bring our relatives here from Peshawar. We want them to live a safe and secure life, with their brothers here,” said Satbir Singh, another refugee.

 

Thousands of Sikhs living in Pakistan''s tribal belt adjoining Afghanistan have been trading in the region for generations.

 

In May 2009, the Sikhs joined an exodus of hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the Taliban stronghold of Swat Valley, when the army launched an offensive in as a peace pact with the militants broke down.

Source ANI

Jhargam (West Bengal): Maoists backed People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCPA) has called for a weeklong strike across West Bengal starting from Wednesday to protest against the killing of their top leader in an encounter.

On Tuesday, the PCPA leader Lalmohan Tudu was shot dead during an encounter with security forces in trouble hit Lalgarh area.

According to police, Tudu was killed while leading an attack on a camp of the security forces in Kantapahari. But the PCPA claims that the forces killed him near his house.

Shops and other business establishments in Maoists dominated areas were closed and public transport also remained off road.

The strike has irked the locals, who lament losses and inconvenience but are forced to support it out of fear of the Maoists.

"We support strike because they (Maoists) want us to support. Business is stopped, the prices of products are increasing rapidly, we can''t bring products from outside but we still have to support the strike. Several strikes have taken place within a short time in Jhargram,” said Babu Mahato, a local businessman.

“We can''t understand what will be happen in coming days, as every other day there is a strike. Markets open for two days and again there is a strike. No one comes here from outside as they are afraid," he added.

The incident occurred just hours after Maoist top leader Mallojula Koteshwar Rao alias Kishenji offered a 72-day ceasefire through a statement to TV.

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said in a statement that talks could be possible if the Maoists gave up violence, a demand the Maoists have so far refused.

Source ANI

New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the second consecutive day on Wednesday as the opposition continued with their uproar over price rise forcing Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari to adjourn proceedings in the House till noon.

The price rise issue rocked the House today with the entire opposition raising a hue and cry over the same.

S S Ahluwalia, the deputy Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha shouted slogans against the government along with a host of other leaders of opposition in the House.

Nothing could be heard in the House as the opposition shouted against the scourge of escalating prices.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday presented the ''''Railway Budget 2010'''' in the parliament even as the opposition continued with their protests, saying that her ministry has come out with ''''Vision 2020'''' to modernise the railway network.

"I prefer social responsibility to economic responsibility, she said.

Banerjee said, the railways need to catch up with the advanced western nations, adding that the policy guidelines would be made easier and hassle-free.

Railways will not be privatized, she said, adding that in the next five years the whole country would be connected by rail.

Banerjee called on the India Inc to build partnership with the Railways.

The minister announced that the exams for the recruitment in Railway would be conducted in the regional languages as well, adding that English, Hindi, Urdu and other regional languages will be used for Railway entrance exams.

Banerjee said that we have kept our earlier promises and out of 120 trains that were proposed by our ministry, 107 trains were started on time.

She announced that six-bottling points would be set for manufacture of water that will be supplied, adding that the food that is provided to the passengers has also improved over the years.

Village panchayats, hospitals and court would have a e-ticket counter proposed Banerjee, adding that a railway counter would also be set up at the office of the District Magistrate.

Railway is all determined to ensure safety measures, she claimed adding that a ''''chowkidaar'''' would be placed at every railway crossing in the next five years.

Cleanliness of the railway has improved over the years, claimed Banerjee adding that Rs 1302 crores would be spent for the safety of passengers.

Railways would also set up five sports academy, she said adding that it would become link partners of the Commonwealth Games.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday presented the railway budget in the Parliament.

The highlights of the Railway budget 2010-11 are as follows:

Railways have earned net profit of Rs 1,328 crore

To set up more freight corridors

Private operators can run special freight trains

Dividend to state exchequer Rs 6608 crore in 2011

Ten more Duranto trains announced

Share Golden Rail Corridor project announced

Share No forceful land acquisition by Railways

Railways saved Rs 2,000 crore from austerity drive

Perambur, Chittaranjan plants to be upgraded

No forcible acquisition of land for freight corridor project

To sign agreement with Japanese company for Western Freight Corridor

Freight on food grain, kerosene cut by Rs 100 per wagon.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday presented the railway budget in the Parliament.

The highlights of the Railway budget 2010-11 are as follows:

Plan to raise Rs 10,000-20,000 crore in the next one year

For cheap drinking water, plan to start six bottling plants

To earn revenues, Railways need to set up a business model

Larger section of population to get connectivity over next five years

Targeting 1000 km new tracks every year

Policies to be made easy, investor-friendly

Special Task Force to clear proposals for investments in 100 days

Focus on medium term goals, planning and funds

Our objective is to unite the country through rail connectivity

Social responsibility priority in my railway budget

Time to build partnership with private players

Rail exams to be held in regional languages

Concession for women and minority communities

Ten per cent of Budget for modernisation of tracks

Ministry needs Rs 14 lakh crore for vision 2020

E-ticketing mobile vans at hospitals, universities

Share Anti-collusion devices to be added to zonal Railways

Share 100-day window for investment clearance

Share Multi-layer parking at stations

Women RPF to be raised

Housing scheme for 14 lakh Rail employees

Sports academies to be set up in five cities

No hike in railway freight rates

Special trains for Commonwealth Games

Out of 120 new trains, 117 to be launched by March 31

Ex-servicemen for railway security

Five new coach factories to be set up

Railway research center in Kharagpur

Design testing unit to be set up in Bangalore

Railways to start work on Rae Bareilly coach factory in the next one year

Service Charge on AC class cut to Rs 20 as against Rs 40 earlier

Service charge on sleeper class reduced to Rs 10

101 new suburban trains in Mumbai

Railways to set up multi-functional hospitals

Houses for all Railways employees in the next 10 years.

Source ANI

Midnapore (WB)/Ranchi: The 72-day ceasefire call given by the Maoists has received mixed response from the common public in West Bengal and Jharkhand.

Tapan Ghosh, a resident of West Medinapor said that the 72-day call for ceasefire is too long and the rebels and the government must come to the table for talks at the earliest.

"The Maoist must surrender their arms, abjure violence and come to the discussion table for talks. The 72-day ceasefire is too long and within those days anything can happen and incidents like the one in Shilda might take place," opined Tapan Ghosh.

Expressing similar views, Ram Singh Manshi, a teacher at a school in Ranchi wondered whether the Maoists would keep up their words.

"They (Maoists) will not agree. They say something else and do something else. When they say that they will release somebody (hostages abducted by them) they usually do not; that is impossible. Many a times they abduct someone and then murder them," said Ram Singh Manshi.

Meghna Ruby Kashyap, the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Karra (Khunti) in Jharkhand, said that fear prevails among the government officials after the rebels abducted one of their colleagues.

However, Kashyap expressed hope that a positive result would come out of the talks between rebels and the Central Government.

Meanwhile, Union Home Ministry has ruled out any space for mediators between Centre and Maoists and said that it expects them (Maoists) to come on their own for talks.

Home Ministry sources said that talks are a long-term process. In a later stage Maoists can suggest any individual or organisation as their representative to carry out talks with the Government.

But at this stage the Centre expects Maoists to come on their own, sources added.
On Monday, evening while making ceasefire announcement Maoists leader Mallojula Koteshwar Rao alias Kishenji said human rights activists and social workers can mediate between Government and Maoists.

The Ministry also described the 72-day long ceasefire offered by the Maoists as a ploy to regroup.

Earlier in the day Home Minister P. Chidambaram asked Maoists to abjure violence completely and make a statement committing themselves to unconditional talks.

In a statement Chidambaram said: "I would like a short, simple statement from the CPI (Maoist) saying we will abjure violence and we are prepared for talks."

"I would like no ifs, no buts and no conditions.  I would like the statement to be faxed to 011-23093155. Once I receive the statement, I shall consult the Prime Minister and other colleagues and respond promptly," he added.

Source ANI

Wellington: IPL commissioner Lalit Modi has made it clear that security for the Twenty20 tournament is “top notch” with plans being upgraded on a daily basis, and said that media is reacting to every fringe group saying security is a problem.

 

Modi said that there would not be a repeat of last year when the tournament was shifted to South Africa due to security fears.

 

“We are going to have the tournament in India. I can’t see any reason why we should move it at this point in time. The media is reacting to every fringe group saying security is a problem,” Modi told the BBC.

 

“Nobody in the world can safeguard the safety of the players in any tournament. All we have to do is ensure we are putting on the best security. Safety is paramount to us and we are working with the national and state governments to ensure we have good security in place,” he added.

 

Modi further said that the IPL is an Indian tournament, “we have the key Indian players and only a few international players. We have no worries at all. You have to understand that the market for us is India. It''s not only dependent on foreign players, although they are part of it.”

 

“The tournament is a huge success - we have a huge credibility, we have the top 200 players in the world. The heavens aren’t going to fall if that happens,” he insisted.

Source ANI

Melbourne: Former Australian Test cricketer Geoff Lawson will fly to India tomorrow to start a coaching stint despite security threats to the Indian Premier League.

 

Despite Tuesday’s meeting with the Australian Cricketers’ Association in Sydney failing to reach a resolution for players,Lawson will fly to Pune to help the European Cricket Council.

 

Most Australian cricketers with IPL contracts, including Shane Warne and Brett Lee, attended a high-priority meeting with ACA chief executive Paul Marsh, who outlined the security report compiled by Reg Dickason.

 

Lawson said he held no fears for his life, but was unsure what he would do if he were involved in the IPL.

 

“I’m happy to go after listening to my sources in Pakistan and India, but I’m there coaching, and the IPL is a much bigger picture. It’s tricky. From what I can gather the players are getting advice and then told to make up their own mind. There’s been no real clear leadership,” The Herald Sun quoted him, saying.

 

Player groups around the world are putting together a list of concerns for the Federation for International Cricketers’ Association to hand to IPL organisers.

 

Marsh said a list of safety demands would be lodged with the IPL before players committed themselves to the Twenty20 tournament, which begins on March 12.

 

IPL chief Lalit Modi tried to take the heat out of the argument last night, and said: “I spoke to a couple of the (Australian) boys yesterday about it. I think they will all take part.

 

“The tournament will go on. They are very comfortable with it. Not all players have said they don''t want to come. Some have had concerns and we have taken care of their concerns. There''s nothing to be concerned about,” he said.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Wednesday will meet Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Minister of State for Science and Technology Prithviraj Chavan and Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh to discuss the issue of Bt-brinjal.

Today’s meeting has been called taking into account the concerns raised by Pawar and Chavan on the moratorium of Bt-brinjal announced by the Environment minister after public consultations.

It is reported that Pawar in a letter to Dr Singh wanted clarification on the authority responsible for granting final clearance to genetically modified crops. He said in his letter that the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee has approved the commercial cultivation of Bt-Brinjal.

Chavan said Bt-Brinjal is safe, but has not directly opposed the moratorium saying that he was not opposed to more tests.

Ramesh had on February 9 gave the thumbs down to the commercialisation of Bt Brinjal and imposed a moratorium on it till further study.

Ramesh had earlier said he did not expect anybody to be happy with the keenly awaited decision, even as Karnataka joined Uttarakhand in deciding to ban Bt Brinjal without waiting for the Centre to take a call on commercialisation of the genetically modified crop.

Farmers, NGO’s and members of various organisations had unanimously condemned the move to introduce Bt Brinjal, carrying placards with slogans like “we don’t need Bt Brinjal.”

BT brinjal is a transgenic brinjal created by inserting a gene cry1Ac from soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis into brinjal. A US-based multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation and a Maharashtra-based Indian company market BT brinjal in India.

Source ANI

Washington: An extract from bitter melon, a vegetable common in India and known as ‘karela’ in Hindi, helps trigger a chain of events that kills breast cancer cells and prevents them from multiplying, claims an Indian-origin researcher at Saint Louis University.

Ratna Ray, Ph.D., professor in the department of pathology at Saint Louis University and lead researcher, said she was surprised that the extract from the bitter melon she cooks in stir fries inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells.

"To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the effect of bitter melon extract on cancer cells," Ray said. "Our result was encouraging. We have shown that bitter melon extract significantly induced death in breast cancer cells and decreased their growth and spread."

The expert decided to study the bitter melon extract’s impact on breast cancer cells because research by others have shown the substance lowers blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Ray conducted her research using human breast cancer cells in vitro – or in a controlled lab setting.

"There have been significant advances in breast cancer treatment, which have improved patient survival and quality of life. However women continue to die of the disease and new treatment strategies are essential," Ray said.

"Cancer prevention by the use of naturally occurring dietary substances is considered a practical approach to reduce the ever-increasing incidence of cancer. Studying a high risk breast cancer population where bitter melon is taken as a dietary product will be an important area of future research," Ray said.

She cautioned against seeing bitter melon extract as a miracle cure for breast cancer.

"Bitter melon is common in China and India, and women there still get breast cancer," Ray said.

Source ANI

Melbourne: Teenage members of a violent gang called ''Kill More Curries'' are suspected to be behind the ongoing attacks on Indians in Melbourne.

One 15-year-old member of suspected “Kill More Curries” last week pleaded guilty at a children’s court to a charge of affray over the bashing of two Indians at Oakleigh station, the Herald Sun reports.

The boy was part of a group that taunted an Indian man before pushing him and later punching him in the face, the court heard.

Another man, who tried to intervene during the incident on December 4, 2008, sustained a broken jaw and was kicked repeatedly after falling to the ground, Magistrate Luisa Bazzani was told.

Magistrate Bazzani warned the youth he was “on the path to self-destruction”.

“It (the attack) is cowardly and pathetic. You will end up with a lifetime of jail,” Bazzani said.

The boy, however, escaped conviction and was given a nine-month probation order after he presented a letter to the magistrate acknowledging the effect his case had had on his mother and vowing to change his ways.

Meanwhile, Victoria Police has refused to comment on the existence of the KMC gang, as the matters relating to the gang are still pending before the courts.

Source ANI

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Wednesday clarified that the meeting between India and Pakistan Foreign Secretaries is not a continuation of the Composite Dialogue Process which was suspended after 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.

Replying to a question raised by Congress leader Manish Tewari in the Rajya Sabha, Krishna said: “The meeting of the Foreign Secretaries on February 25 is not a continuation of the Composite Dialogue Process. The proposed talks will focus essentially on India’s core concerns regarding terrorism.”

Foreign Secretary level talks between India and Pakistan are scheduled to be held in New Delhi on Thursday (Feb.25).

“It is Government’s consistently expressed position that it is necessary to have an environment free of terror or threat of terror if relations between the two countries are to move forward concretely and meaningfully,” Krishna said.

Reiterating India’s demand to bring perpetrators of 26/11 terror attack to justice, Krishna said: “Government expects Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai terrorist attack to justice, unravel the full conspiracy behind the attack, fulfil its commitment to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism and to deny sanctuary to all terrorist groups which operate from its soil.”

“Enabling an effective channel of communication between India and Pakistan can assist in the discussion of such concerns and to highlight the seriousness we attach to the need for action by Pakistan against terrorism,” he added.

On February 12, 2009 Pakistan acknowledged that the terrorist attack on Mumbai was planned and launched from Pakistan.

In its dossier of July 11, 2009, Pakistan also acknowledged that substantial incriminating evidence had been unearthed which directly connects five accused Laskhkar –e-Taiba (LeT) operatives under Pakistani custody to the attacks in Mumbai and two more suspects were arrested later.

On November 25, 2009, the Pakistan Government reportedly filed a charge sheet in an Anti Terrorism Court in Pakistan against the seven suspects and 20 proclaimed offenders for their role in the terrorist attack on Mumbai. The trial in Pakistan is on going.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Union Government on Wednesday issued a fresh guidelines for media to cover incidents of terror attacks and conflicts and advised the media to exercise caution while covering such incidents.

In a statement, Ministry for Information and Broadcasting Ministry said: “Government of India has advised electronic media to exercise caution while providing coverage to the incidents of terrorist attacks.”

The fresh guidelines are the continuation of the directives issued by the Ministry on November 27, 2008 and December 3, 2008, regarding the coverage of incidents by electronic media during terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

In the said directive, TV channels were asked to exercise caution while providing coverage to the incidents to avoid any adverse consequences on the rescue operations.

The Ministry said that it has also been noted that, in the past, some TV channels arranged and telecast interviews with terrorists and terrorist groups.

In a particular case, a prominent TV channel telecast a phone interview with a dreaded terrorist who tried to internationalize the Kashmir issue using the electronic mass media.

“This kind of coverage can cause confusion amongst domestic and international audiences. The interviews with terrorists have also provided a platform to them to justify their nefarious activities and obtain coverage on prominent channels which is seen as a major achievement and enabling them to put forward their distorted views to a wide audience,” the statement said.

“Such undue coverage to terrorists and allowing them to air their views freely can jeopardize national security as well,” it added.

This matter has been under examination of Information and Broadcasting Ministry and in the Home Ministry. The Government has taken a very serious view regarding airing of interviews with terrorists and terrorist groups by TV Channels, the statement said.

“While the media has generally played a very constructive role in bringing out relevant issues regarding terrorism and has condemned terrorists for their brutal and ruthless ways, it must, however, be again emphasized that media must continue to cover terrorism and terrorist related issues with great responsibility and sensitivity,” it added.

The statement also urged the media to maintain restrain while covering conflicts.

“In the interests of national security and on the advice of Ministry of Home Affairs, the media is hereby advised to avoid giving undue coverage to terrorists and terrorist groups which may help them to advance their political agenda,” the ministry said.

“Such coverage would amount to gross violation of the provisions of the Programme Code contained in the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 and Rules framed there under,” it added.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Wednesday congratulated cricketer Sachin Tendulkar on achieving a special milestone of an unbeaten 200, which is the highest score in one-day international cricket’s history. 

 

In his personal message, Prime Minister Dr. Singh, described Tendulkar’s double century as a "magnificent achievement" and stated: “Sachin has led by example and all Indians are proud of his achievement.”

 

The Prime Minister also wished him many more glorious years in his cricketing career.

 

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday scored first ever double century and also broke the world record for highest runs in ODI previously held by Pakistan’s Saeed Anwar for 194 runs, while playing in the second ODI here against South Africa.

 

Sachin scored 200 in just 147 balls playing with Team India skipper Mahender Singh Dhoni on the other end, who scored 68* in just 35 balls.

 

In his 147 ball inning, Tendulkar scored 25 fours and 3 sixes to make 200*.

Source ANI

New Delhi: President Pratibha Patil on Wednesday congratulated master blaster Sachin Tendulkar for his grand double achievement in the Gwalior One-Day International Cricket match against South Africa today.

 

“Sachin Tendulkar has yet again re-written the record books of cricket, by climbing yet another Mt. Everest of the game,” said President Patil in her message.

 

“On setting a new benchmark for the highest score by a batsman in One-Day 50 overs cricket, as well as notching-up a double century, the master batsman has set stiff targets to break for future generation of cricketers,” a Rashtrapati Bhavan release quoted President Patil as saying.

 

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday scored first ever double century and also broke the world record for highest runs in ODI previously held by Pakistan’s Saeed Anwar for 194 runs, while playing in the second ODI here against South Africa.

 

Sachin scored 200 in just 147 balls playing with Team India skipper Mahender Singh Dhoni on the other end, who scored 68* in just 35 balls.

 

In his 147 ball inning, Tendulkar scored 25 fours and 3 sixes to make 200*.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Minister for Railways Mamata Banerjee announced that frequency of 12 trains are proposed to be increased and 21 trains would be given extension from their current route.

 Increase in frequency of trains

1.                   2245/2246 Howrah-Yesvantpur Duronto Express from weekly to 4 days

2.                   3149/3150 Sealdah-Alipurduar Kanchen Kanya Express from 4 days to daily

3.                   2377/2378 Sealdah-New Jalpaiguri Padatik Express from 3 days to 6 days

4.                   2295/2296 Patna-Bangalore Sanghamitra Express from 6 days to daily

5.                   2251/2252 Korba-Yesvantpur Express from weekly to 2 days

6.                   6605/6606 Mangalore-Kochuveli Ernad Express from 3 days to daily

7.                   2933/2934 Ahmedabad-Mumbai Central Express from 6 days to daily

8.                   2215/2216 Bandra Terminus-Delhi Sarai Rohilla from 3 days to 4 days

9.                   2807/2808 Visakhapatnam-Nizamuddin Samata Experss from 3 days to 5 days

10.               4705/4706 Delhi Sarai Rohila Sadulpur Express from 3 days to 6 days

11.               2981/2982 Udaipur City-Delhi Sarai Rohilla Chetak Express from 3 days to 4  days.

12.               2447/2448 Manikpur-Hazrat Nizamuddin Uttar Pradesh Sampark Kranti Express from 3 days to daily.

Extension of trains

1.       7001/7002 Secunderabad-Manmad Express to Shirdi (Bi-weekly)

2.       7205/7206 Kakinada-Manmad Express to Shirdi (Weekly)

3.       1405/1406 Kakinada-Manmad Express to Shirdi (Bi-weekly)

4.       7207/7208 Vijayawada-Manmad Express to Shirdi (Weekly)

5.       6341/6342  Thiruvananthapuram-Ernakulam Express to Guruvayur (Daily)

6.       7639/7640 Kacheguda-Nanded Express to Akola (Daily)

7.       2187/2188 Mumbai CST-Jabalpur Express to Allahabad (Bi-weekly)

8.       2235/2236 New Delhi-Guwahati Rajdhani Express to Dibrugarh

9.       2777/2778 Yesvantpur-Kochuveli Express to Hubli (Weekly)

10.   2831/2832 Bhubaneswar-Hatia Express to Dhanbad (Tri-weekly)

11.   8425/8426 Puri-Raipur Express to Durg

12.   8447/8448 Bhubaneswar-Koraput Express to Jagdalpur

13.   209/210 Puri-Dhenkanal Passenger to Talcher Road (Daily)

14.   1629 Sangali-Miraj to Chhatrapati Sahu Maharaj Terminus (Kolhapur) (Daily)

15.   1610 Miraj-Pune to Chhatrapati Sahu Maharaj Terminus (Kolhapur) (Daily)

16.   1551/1552 Pune-Daund to Baramati (Daily)

17.   531A/532A Parli-Nizamabad Passenger to Pandharpur

18.   623/624 Mangalore-Kannur Passenger to Kozhikode

19.   353/354 Dharwar-Gadag Passenger to Solapur

20. 1704 Chirmiri-Damoh Passenger to Sagour

21. 1703A Damoh-Katni Passenger to Sagour.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Minister for Railways Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday proposed to enhance the concession to cancer patients upto 100 per cent in 3 AC and Sleeper Class.

Ms. Mamata said at present Railways grant a concession of 75% in 3 AC and Sleeper Class to cancer patients going for treatment, together with an escort.

She also proposed that technicians of regional film industry when traveling for film production related work will be eligible for 75% concession in Second Sleeper, 50% concession in First Class, AC Chair Car, AC 3 tier, AC 2 tier in all trains including Rajdhani/Shatabdi and Jan Shatabdis.

The minister said, “Press Correspondents are currently given a concession of 50% for their travel along with spouse, once a year. It is now proposed to extend this concession to companion of those correspondents who do not have a spouse, and dependent children up to 18 years, once a year.”

Source ANI

New Delhi: Minister for Railways Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that the Railways are planning to go in for Dedicated Passenger Corridor (DPC) on the lines of Dedicated Freight Corridor.

Saying DPC will be known as the “Golden Rail Corridor” of the Indian Railways, Ms. Mamata said that high speed rail corridor will become a catalyst for India’s economic growth, a stimulus for the development of satellite towns and reduction of migration to metropolises. She said therefore it is proposed to set up a National High Speed Rail Authority for planning, standard setting, implementing and monitoring these projects.

She said construction of High Speed passenger rail corridors is another transformational initiative that Railways will embark upon in the coming years. She said Indian Railways proposes to invest in developing high speed corridors of 250 to 350 kmph speed. Already six corridors have been identified and as the projects would require large investments, they will be executed through PPP mode.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Minister for Railways Ms. Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced setting up of 50 Creches for Children of Women Employees . 

Stating that Railways will take all possible measures to take care of its 80,000 women employees, Ms. Mamata also announced setting up of 20 women hostels for  them.

Railways would also make provision for more community centres and stadiums, she added.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Minister for Railways Ms. Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced new rail line projects.

The following new rail line projects have been included in the Railway Budget for the year 2010-2011: 

1.      Rishikesh-Karanprayag

2.      Digha-Jaleshwar

3.      Bagalkot-Kudachi

4.      Hasanabad-Hingalganj

5.      Balurghat-Hilli

6.      Bhadrachalam Road-Sattupalli

7.      Kaliyaganj-Buniadpur

8.      Bowaichandi-Arambagh

9.      Tarakeshwar-Magra

Ms. Mamata said in addition, the works on the sections Tarakeshwar-Champadanga, Arambagh-Irphala of Arambagh-Ghatal, Machlandpur-Swarupnagar, Budge Budge-Pujali, Prantik-Siuri, Tarakeshwar-Dhaniakhali, New Mal-Maynaguri Road, Dankuni-Furfurasharif, Gaya-Nataesar (Nalanda), Nidamangalam-Mannargudi and Mandir Hasaud-Naya Raipur are also being taken up.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Minister for Railways Ms. Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced electrification of three new rail sections which will be taken up during the next financial year.

The three new rail sections include: 1.Gondia-Ballarshah via Nagbhir, 2. Daund-Manmadm, 3.Khana-Sainthia-Pakur & Pandabeshwar- Sainthia.

She informed following sections being under active consideration for electrification:

1.Vizianagram-Raigada, 2.Mathura-Alwar-Rewari-Hissar, 3.Guntakal-Bellary-Hospet-Vosco de Gama,

She said in addition to above, feasibility studies for the following sections will be undertaken:1.Bardhaman-Katwa-New Farakka including Katwa-Ahmadpur, 2.      Chheoki-Manikpur-Itarsi, 3.Chhapra-Varanasi-Allahabad including Bhatni-Aunrihar and Phephna-Indara, 4. Garwa Road-Chopan-Singrauli including Chunar-Chopan, 5. Pakur-Kumedpur including Gumani-Sahibganj, 6. Angul-Sambalpur-Jharsuguda, 7. Kiul-Tillaiyya-Manpur, 8. New Bongoigaon-Jogighopa-Kamakhya, 9. Bankura-Rainanagar
10.Fatwa-Islampur-Bakhtiyarpur-Rajgir, 11. Vijaywada-Niduduvolu including Machhlipatnam & Narsapur, 12. Falaknuma – Umdanagar, 13.   Secunderabad – Medchal.

Source ANI

New Delhi: On the eve of the foreign secretary-level talks between India  and Pakistan, New Delhi is cautiously optimistic about the outcome of the deliberations.

The apparent trust deficit that increased after the 26/11 terror strike on Mumbai and was further substantiated after the bomb blast at the German Bakery in Pune earlier this month has made India skeptical about how progressive the day-long talks will be.

Government sources here said: "We are going to talk with an open mind, but are conscious of the limitations imposed by the trust deficit post-Mumbai.”

Sources, however, declined to pre-judge the outcome.

India is maintaining that future talks with Pakistan will depend on what Islamabad does to stop terrorists from using its soil to mount attacks on civilian targets in India. Sources told ANI that India will try to clear the air on all misgivings that have plagued bilateral ties between both countries.

While emphasizing that the February 25 talks should not and will not be seen as a restart of the composite dialogue process, the Indian side has indicated that New Delhi’s willingness to take that first step should not be doubted.

Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir has said that he is here to bridge the gap and he expects a positive outcome to the talks.

The likelihood of a joint statement after the talks is remote.

The talks agenda is still unclear. The Indian side has said it will focus on terrorism, while the Pakistan side has said that it wants to have a discussion on all relevant issues affecting the two countries, including Kashmir and the water dispute.

India is likely to handover voice records of the 26.11 culprits and is also likely to raise the issue of the killing of Sikhs in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).
 
Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir is meeting Hurriyat leaders here this evening, including Tehreek-e-Hurriyat chief Sayeed Ali Shah Gilani, the chairman of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat, Mirwaiz Omar Farooq and JKLF leader Yasin Malik. He is expected to extend a fresh invitation to them to visit Pakistan, diplomatic sources said.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Minister for Railways Mamta Banerjee on Wednesday announced a target of 800 km has been fixed for gauge conversion for the following sections during the next financial year:

1. Barddhaman - Balgona of Barddhaman – Katwa, 2. Krishnanagar – Santipur, 3.       Tirunelveli – Tenkasi of Quilon – Tiruchendur and Tenkasi – Virudunagar, 4.       Mayiladuturai – Thiruvarur of Mayiladuturai – Karaikkudi, 5. Bharuch – Samni – Dahej
6. Aluabari – Siliguri, 7. Dindigul – Palani of Dindigul – Pollachi – Palakkad, 8.     Anandpuram – Talguppa of Shimoga – Talguppa, 9. Chintamani – Chikballapur of Kolar – Chikballapur, 10.Kaptanganj – Thawe of Kaptanganj – Thawe – Chhapra, 11. Ratangarh – Bikaner of Sadulpur – Bikaner, 12.   Mavli – Nathdwara, 13. Katihar – Tejnarayanpur, 14. Sitamarhi – Bairgania of Jaynagar – Darbhanga – Narkatiaganj, 15.   Bodeli – Chotta Udepur of Pratapnagar – Chotta Udepur.

She said in addition, following gauge conversions works are proposed to be taken up:
1.Chhindwara – Nainpur – Mandla Fort, 2. Gwalior – Sheopurkalan with extension to Kota, 3. Dholpur – Sirmutra with extension to Gangapur City.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Minister for Railways Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said the Railways has decided to enhance the contribution to the Central Staff Benefit Fund from Rs. 350 per employee to Rs. 500. 

“The increased allocation will be used for welfare of gangmen and similar categories and their families,” said Mamata.
 
The Railway Minister also announced that the scope of safety-related retirement scheme would be expanded to cover all safety category staff with a grade pay of Rs. 1800.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Minister for Railways Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that the national health insurance plan will be extended to all licensed porters, vendors and hawkers on Railways.

“The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana will now be extended to all licensed porters, vendors and hawkers on Railways,” said Mamata in the Lok Sabha.
       
She said that this was being done in fulfillment of our corporate social responsibility as the porters, vendors and hawkers are from the unorganized sector and are socially challenged.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Minister for Railways Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced that a target of 700 km has been fixed for the doubling of following railway lines during the next financial year. 

Godhani – Kalumna, Talcher – Sambalpur, Sondalia-Champapukur, Delang-Puri, Ambikakalna-Nabadwipdham, Bethuadahari-Plassey, Katwa-Patuli, Jalandhar Cantt – Suchi Pind, Sahibganj-Pirpainti, Santipur-Kalinarayanpur, Lalgola-Jiaganj, Azimganj-Manigram, Ambala Cantt-Dhapper,   Chakki Bank-Bharoli, Basantar Bridge on Sambha – Vijaypur Jammu, Nalhati-Sagardighi, Bhadohi-Janghai, Kathua-Madhopur Punjab, Bhagat ki Kothi-Luni, Abu Road-Sarotra Road, Sarotra Road-Karjoda, Swaroopganj-Abu Road, Keshavganj-Swaroopganj, Manchiryal-Peddampet,  Tamluk-Basulya Sutahata, Sini-Adityapur 3rd line, Champajharan-Bimalgarh, Dangoaposi-Rajkharswan 3rd line, Durg-Rajnandgaon 3rd line, Birur-Shivani, Mile 5 B-New Alipore, Hosdurga Road-Chikjajur,   Ernakulam-Kumbalam, Viramgam-Surendarnagar, Hospet-Hubli-Londa-Vasco-De-Gama.

Source ANI

New Delhi: The Minister for Railways Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced that 15,000 kilometres Optical Fibre Cables (OFC) will be laid through Public Private Partnership (PPP) to cover the entire railway network.

“This Optical Fibre Cables infrastructure will be utilized to extend broadband services with the last mile connectivity on PPP basis to urban and rural areas. She said, the Indian Railways already has a network of 37,000 kms of Optical Fibre Cables and work on adding another 12,000 kms is in progress,” Ms. Mamata said.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Minister for Railways Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said the Indian Railways will run special train Sanskriti Express across the country to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Nobel Laureate Guru Rabindranath Tagore.

“The Indian Railways will run special train Sanskriti Express across the country to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore and to disseminate his legacy to the young generation,” said Ms. Mamata Banerjee.

“Tagore is the only poet in the work whose poems have been adopted as National Anthems by two countries – Amar Sonar Bangla for Bangladesh and Jan Gana Mana for India,” she added.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Minister for Railways Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said Research, Design and Standards Organisation would be revamped to bring in line with the modern research organizations.  

“The Research, Design and Standards Organisation will now be revamped to bring in line with the modern research organizations and a Centre for Railway Research would be set up in Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur for research in key areas of technology and to give a thrust to indigensiation in the Railways,” said Ms. Mamata in the Lok Sabha.  

“The Railways would establish strong research partnerships with premier institutes like IITs, NITs, CSIR and DRDO.  The expansion of Indian Railways and modernization would require a strong emphasis on developing indigenous research and development capabilities,” she added.

She also proposed  the setting up of four multi-disciplinary training centres at Cuttack, Coochbehar, Malda and Jabalpur.  In addition, a state-of-the-art advanced loco pilot training centre would also be set up at Kharagpur.

The Railway Minister also announced the setting up of an advanced Railway Track Training Centre at Beleghata for training of gangmen and gatemen.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Minister for Railways Ms. Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced that with the cooperation of Union Ministry of Health, it is expected that about 522 hospitals and diagnostic centres would be set up.

The initiative, Ms. Mamata said would benefit railway employees and their children in a big way.

While presenting the Railway Budget for 2010-11 in Parliament, Ms. Mamata said: “Outpatient Departments (OPD) and diagnostic centres will be set up at Adoni, Agartala, Agra Cantt., Ahmednagar, Akbarpur, Akola, Aligarh Jn., Alipurduar Jn., Amethi, Amritsar, Amroha, Anantapur, Annavaram, Ara, Arrariya Court, Asansol, Aurangabad, Ayodhya, Azamgarh, Babina, Badnera, Bagaha, Bahadurgarh, Bahugaon, Bakhtiyarpur, Balasore, Ballia, Ballabgarh, Ballarshah, Balugaon, Banda, Bandel, Bangalore City, Bangarapet, Banmankhi Jn., Baptla, Barabanki, Barauni, Barh, Berhampur, Bareilly, Barkakana, Barrackpore, Barsoi Jn., Basar, Beas, Begusarai, Bellary, Belthra Road, Bettiah, Betul, Bhadohi, Bhadrachalam Road, Bhadrak, Bhadravati, Bhagalpur, Bharatpur, Bathinda, Bhatni, Bhimavaram Town, Bhimawaram Jn., Bhubaneswar, Bhusawal, Bidar, Bihar Sharif, Bina, Binnaguri, Birur, Bokaro Steel City, Bongaigaon, Brahmapur, Burdhman, Burhanpur, Buxer, Chakia, Chakki Bank, Chakradharpur, Chalisgaon, Chadausi, Chandigarh, Chandrapur, Chengalpattu, Chhapra Jn., Chirala, Chittoor, Cuddapah, Daltonganj, Damoh, Danapur, Daund, Dehradun, Delhi Cantt., Delhi Sarai Rohilla, Delhi Shahdara, Deoband, Devlali, Deoria Sadar, Deonagar, Dhanbad, Dharmavaram, Dhone, Dhupguri, Dibrugarh Town, Dildar Nagar, Dimapur, Diphu, Dornakal, Dumka, Durgapur, Ernakulum, Erode Jn., Faizabad, Falna, Faridabad, Faridkot, Fatehpur, Firozabad, Firozpur, Gadag, Gangapur City, Ganj Basoda, Garhwa Road, Ghaziabad, Ghataprabha, Ghatsila, Ghazipur City, Ghoradongari, Gomoh, Gonda, Gooty, Gorakhpur, Gudur, Gulbarga, Guna, Guntakal, Gurgaon, Gwalior, Hajipur, Hanumangarh, Hapur, Hardoi, Haridwar, Harihar, Hasanpur Road, Hatia, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Hindupur, Hoshangabad, Hospet, Hosur Town, Howrah, Itanagar, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Jajpurkeonjhar, Jaisalmer, Jalandhar Cantt., Jalandhar City, Jalna, Jamalpur, Jammu Tawi, Janghai, Jaunpur, Jhajha, Jhansi, Jhargram, Jharsuguda, Jind, Jodhpur, Kakinada Town, Kalka, Kalyan, Kalyani, Kannur, Kantabanji, Kaptanganj Jn., Karnal, Karur Jn., Kasargod, Kathua, Katihar, Katni, Katpadi Jn., Kavali, Kazipet, Kesinga, Khagaria, Khajuraho, Khalilabad, Khammam, Khandawa, Kharagpur, Khurda Road, Kishanganj, Kiul, Koderma, Kokrajhar Jn., Kolhapur, Kolkata Station, Kollam Jn., Kopargaon, Koraput Jn., Kota, Krishnagar City Jn., Kumbakonam, Kurduwadi, Kurukshetra, Lakhimpur, Lakheesarai, Laksar, Lalgarh, Lalitpur, Lonavala, Lucknow, Londa, Ludhiana, Lumding, Machilipatnam, Madhepura, Madhubani, Madhupur, Mahaboobnagar, Mahbubabad, Mahoba, Maihar, Mairwa, New Mal Jn., Malkapur, Manchiryal, Manduadih, Mandya, Manmad, Mansi, Mantralayam Road, Matheran, Mathura, Mau Jn., Meerut Cantt., Meerut City, Merta Road, Midnapore, Miraj, Mirzapur, Mokama Jn., Moradabad, Morena, Mudkhed, Mughalsarai, Mumbai CST, Mumbai LTT, Muzaffarnagar, Muzaffarpur, Nadikudi, Nagarsol, Nagaur, Nagercoil Jn., Naihati, Nalgonda, Nanded, Nandyal, Nangloi, Narkatiaganj, Narsingpur, Nasik Road, Naugachia, Nellore, New Alipurduar, New Bongaigaon, New Cooch Behar, New Delhi, Nidadavolu, Nizamabad, Ongole, Orai, Pachora, Pakala, Palakollu, Pali Marwar, Palwal, Panipat, Parasnath, Parli Vaijnath, Pratapgarh, Pathankot, Patiala, Patna, Patna City, Phagwara, Pipariya, Prayag, Purna, Rae Bareli, Raichur, Raiwala, Raja Ki Mandi, Rajahmundry, Rajendernagar Terminus, Rajgangpur, Rajgir, Rameswaram, Rampur, Rampurhat, Ranchi, Rangapara North, Rangiya, Rani, Raniganj, Raxaul, Rayagada, Renigunta, Renukoot, Rewa, Rishikesh, Rohtak, Roorkee, Rourkela, Sagour, Saharanpur, Saharsa, Sahibganj, Sahibabad, Sainthia, Salempur, Samastipur, Sambalpur Jn., Sangli, Sasaram, Satna, Sawai Madhopur, Sealdah, Secunderabad, Sewagram, Shahganj, Shakurbasti, Shegaon, Shirdi, Shoranur Jn., Silchar, Siliguri Jn., Singrauli, Sirpur Kagaznagar, Sitamarhi, Siwan Jn., Solapur, Sonipat, Sonpur, Sri Satya Sai Prashanti Nilayam, Srikalasthi, Srirampur, Sugauli Jn., Sultanganj, Sultanpur, Suraimanpur, Tadepalligundem, Tandur, Tanuku, Tatanagar, Tenali, Tezpore, Thane, Thiruvananthapuram Central, Tinsukia, Tiruchirapalli, Tirunelveli Jn., Titlagarh, Trichur, Tumkur, Tuni, Udhampur, Unahimachal, Vidisha, Vikarabad, Villipuram Jn., Virudunagar Jn., Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Warangal, Wardha, Yadgir and Yashvantpur.”

Source ANI

Minister for Railways Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced that her Ministry has identified 10 more railway stations to be converted to world class stations.

The stations are Ambala Cantt., Bholpur, Ernakulum, Gorakhpur, Jammu, Jhansi, Kharagpur, Kota, Surat and Thane.

Keeping in view the continued focus to enhance passenger comforts, facilities, ambience and aesthetics Ms. Banerjee said the following 94 stations have been further declared as Adarsh Stations (model stations):

The list includes: Alappuzha, Aluabari Road, Ambalapuzha, Andal, Angul, Ausgram, Badarpur Junction, Bagalkot, Bally, Ballyghat, Basti, Belpahar, Bethuadahari, Bhadreswar, Bhatar, Birshibpur, Bobbili, Chakda, Chandauli, Chandrakona Rd., Changanacheri, Changrabandha, Chas Road, Cherthala, Chhapra Jn., Chhatna, Chikballapur, Radhamohanpur (Debra), Dahod, Dantan, Debagram, Devanahalli, Dhanuvachapuram, Dinhata, Dodballapur, Doikallu, Domohani, Fuleswar, Galsi, Garbeta, Gauribidanur, Ghatera, Gokak Road, Gourinathdam, Gudur, Haldibari, Haripad, Hijli, Himmatnagar, Jagdispur, Jakhopura, Jamalpur, Jamnagar, Jamuria, Jharsuguda, Kalaikunda, Karuvatta, Kashinagar, Kanyakulam Jn., Kochuveli, Kotdwara, Kulgachia, Lanjigarh Road, Lapanga, Lingampalli, Mavelikara, Maynaguri, Meramandali, Miraj, Narasaraopet, Nasik Road, Ochira, Parbhani, Purna, Raghunathpur, Ramnagar, Ratlam, Rengali, Sangli, Shankarapalli, Siddharth Nagar, Solapur, Sonamukhi, Sultanpur, Taldi, Tandur, Thiruvarur, Thiruvizha, Tikiapara, Titlagarh Jn., Vayalar, Vikarabad, Vishrambaug and Yelahanka Jn.

Source ANI

Gwalior: Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday scored first ever double century and also broke the world record for highest runs in ODI held by Pakistan’s Saeed Anwar for 194 runs, while playing in the second ODI here against South Africa.

 

Sachin scored 200 not out in just 147 balls playing with Team India skipper Mahender Singh Dhoni on the other end who scored 68* in just 35 balls.

 

Dhoni in his inning scored seven (4s) and four (6s).

 

In his 147 ball inning, Sachin scored 25 fours and 3 sixes to make 200*.

 

Team India concluded its inning with its mammoth total of 401/3.

Source ANI

New Delhi: In presenting her maiden Rail-Budget, the Minister for Railways Mamata Banerjee presented a ‘please all Rail budget’ for different sections of society keeping common man in mind, even though she kept on expressing her inability to satisfy disrupting voices coming from the Opposition Benches of Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

Ms. Banerjee today announced that her Ministry would follow a twin strategy of adopting the highest level of technology and pressing into force well-trained manpower, as emphasized in Vision 2020 for safety and security.

Presenting the Railway Budget for 2010-11 in Parliament, the Minister said that safety and security never sleeps and zero tolerance for accidents is our vision and mission.

She said 17,000 trains run everyday carrying 18 million passengers over 64,015 route- kms. In such a vast operation and due to technical problems, sabotage, fog, rail roko, natural disaster and human failure, there are some unfortunate incidents of accidents.

She said Railways has to go in for new, cutting-edge equipment to prevent accidents. Anti-collision device (ACD) and Train Protection Warning System (TPWS) are two such devices. She said ACD has already been installed on Northern Frontier Railway and is now proposed to be extended to three more Zonal Railways.

“Four projects of TPWS covering 828 route-kms for improving safety and preventing collision accidents will be implemented during the year. Railways are also developing crashworthy coaches and locomotives and will provide automatic fire and smoke detection system in 20 pairs of long-distance trains as pilot project,” she stated.

“Accidents at unmanned level crossings are a source of deep concern to all. Even now, there are about 17,000 unmanned level crossings. She said that manning of around 3,000 level crossings was approved in 2009-10 and a further 1,000 level crossings will be taken up next year. A special drive in this regard is being launched so that in the coming five years, all the unmanned LCs are manned,” she added.

Ms. Banerjee said that Railways would construct more under-passes, limited height sub-ways besides Rail Over Bridges (ROBs) and Rail Under Bridges (RUBs). She said Railways will explore the possibility of using jute geo-textiles wherever the soil formation of railway track is unstable and weak.

She said with the law and order being a state subject, security cannot be ensured without the whole-hearted cooperation of the State Governments. She said, in fact, Railways bear 50 per cent of the cost of State Government Railway Police. (GRP). She appealed to the people not to target the Railways during any local issue and frequent rail rooks agitation.

Ms. Banerjee said that her Ministry has to strengthen the Railway Protection Force(RPF) as an organization and to modernize RPF, full support is being given. Railways will bring a comprehensive bill for providing security to passengers. She said as security is an important area, Railways has decided to involve ex-servicemen to strengthen Railway Protection Force.

Referring to security of women passengers, Ms. Mamta informed the House that it will be improved by raising 12 companies of women RPF personnel to be named ‘Mahila Vahini’. Railway Protection Special Force(RPSF) will also be strengthened and priority will be given to women especially those belonging to minorities, SC/ST, OBC and economically backward classes.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Minister for Railways Ms. Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced the proposal of setting up a Railway Cultural and Heritage Promotion Board which will be responsible for coordinating and supervising all culture and heritage related activities on the railways.

Presenting the Railway Budget for 2010-11 in Parliament, Ms. Banerjee also announced that a Rabindra Museum at Howrah and Gitanjali Museum at Bolpur, the place where Visva-Bharati international university is located, would be set up to mark the 150th Birth Anniversary of Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore.

Ms. Banerjee said that she also proposes to re-model Bholpur station inspired by the architecture of Shantiniketan.

To provide state-of-the-art infrastructural facilities for the promotion of culture, the Ministry of Railways also proposes to set up Shambhu Mitra Cultural Complex with performing arts and a music academy at Howrah, the Railways Minister added.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Minister for Railways Ms. Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced extension of scope of ‘Mushkil-Aasan’ scheme.

Presenting the Railway Budget for 2010-11 in Parliament Ms. Mamta said e-ticket based mobile vans will be inducted for issuing reservation tickets in Government medical college hospitals, High Courts, District Courts, University campuses, IT hubs, IITs and IIMs. She said to give more facilities to the common people.

She said Railways also proposes to open ticket centres at district headquarters and village panchayats with infrastructure support from local Government/semi-Government authorities and private organizations.

Mamta also said that E-ticketing will cost less with the reduction of service charge being reduced.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Maken disclosed on Wednesday that Maoists are running arms manufacturing units in the interior areas of Chattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha Maken said the Maoists arms factories manufacture country-made weapons.

“The CPI (Maoist) runs arms factories which are mainly located in interior areas of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar where they manufacture country-made weapons,” he said.

Maken said that there was no indication of Maoists procuring arms from foreign countries.

“Most of the foreign made arms with Naxalites have been looted from security forces. There are no inputs to indicate that Maoists are procuring arms from any foreign country,” he added.

The security forces have recovered 1511arms in 2008 and 572 in 2009 from the Naxalites.
In 2010 till February, 16 security forces recovered 78 arms from the Naxalites.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir along with his delegation arrived here on Wednesday evening for the Foreign Secretary level talks to be held on Thursday (Feb.24).

 

Expressing his delight to be back again in India, Bashir said the purpose of his visit is to bridge differences between India and Pakistan.

 

After arriving in New Delhi, Bashir said: “It’s good to be back. I am here to bridge the differences and hope for a positive outcome.”

 

A private channel quoted Bashir as saying that “Pakistan has no fixed agenda. Just looking for a way forward for the talks.”

 

Bashir also said that he would discuss any issue, including terror.

 

Bashir has come at the invitation of Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, who had proposed February 18 or February 25 as tentative dates for the talks, during her meeting with Pakistan High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik. Pakistan agreed to February 25.

 

Earlier, speaking in Beijing, on Wednesday, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi termed the February 25 Foreign Secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan as an ‘exploratory’ meeting and Islamabad wants a meaningful dialogue with New Delhi.

 

Interacting with media persons after addressing the Institute of International Studies here, Qureshi said all issues confronting both countries must come up for discussions during the upcoming talks.

 

“After 14 months, they have re-engaged with us and have invited us for a dialogue. Pakistan wants a dialogue with India, but we want a meaningful dialogue. We want that all issues of concern to both sides should be brought on the table so that the dialogue is serious and meaningful,” The News quoted Qureshi, as saying.

 

Qureshi also claimed that India, through a joint communiqué, had agreed that acts of terrorism would not impede the process of dialogue between both nations.

 

Qureshi said the ball is now India’s court, and the outcome the talks would largely depend on its approach.

 

“We have to see what comes out of the meeting on February 25.Pakistan is showing a constructive approach and if India also exhibits the same spirit obviously there will be progress,” the Pak Foreign Minister stated.

Source ANI

Bangalore: The Congress and the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) are likely to slam the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led government in the state on a large number of issues including the slow development of relief works in the flood destroyed areas, deteriorated power supply and the fresh attacks on churches in the budget session which begins on Thursday.

The BJP led government in the state has already been facing the revolt of the farmers for its steps taken to acquire agricultural land across the state in the name of creating ‘land bank’ for allotment to the investors.

The state government is expected to have a tough time in trying to convince the opposition.

JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister H D Devegowda, who has taken on the Yeddyurappa government for allegedly providing excess land to NICE company and its action of acquiring 1.71 lakh acres, has already visited parts of the state opposing land acquisition, a campaign dubbed by the Chief Minister  as ‘inciting farmers against the government’.

 

The campaign that was began by Devegowda and his son H D Kumaraswamy, the former Chief Minister of the state has got a good response, which is a cause of worry for the Yeddyruppa government.

 

Despite Yeddyurappa’s repeated assurances that his government was not acquiring vast tracts of land, the unconvinced farmers are up in arms and are supporting Devegowda.

 

The opposition parties are anticipated to target the government for its failure to maintain law and order in the state.

 

They are also expected to take up the issue of proposed legislation to ban cow slaughter in the state.

 

Meanwhile, Congress leader Siddramaiah, who has to his credit the feat of presenting seven budgets in the state, is likely to quiz the government on the financial situation.

 

However, Chief Minister B SYeddyruppa, who also holds the finance portfolio has kept mum on the criticism, asserting that the ‘revenue collections are good’.

 

Yeddyurappa will present his third successive budget on March 5 in the state assembly.

Source ANI

Pune: With one more person succumbing to his injuries, the toll at the blast in the German Bakery in Pune has risen to sixteen, hospital sources said today.

Sudanese student Anaj Alfateh Sulamian succumbed to his injuries at the Jehangir Hospital this morning.

Suleman, who was a first year BA student of Pune College, became the fifth foreign national who fell victim to the blast.

The blast also wounded 57 people, and is seen as the first major attack on India since the November 26,2008 Mumbai terrors attack.

The bakery is located in Koregaon Park, which is close to the Osho Ashram and the Chabad House, a Jewish prayer house, which numerous foreigners and tourists frequent.

Source ANI

New Delhi: Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee will present the Rail Budget in the Parliament today.

Mamata is unlikely to propose any increase in passenger fares.

She is also likely to bring in a special Railway Security Fund as railways have often come in for criticism for not doing much to ensure safety to passengers.

The Budget may also see more Duronto trains being launched.

Freight rates of foodgrains and fertilisers are likely to stay the same as the Centre has been facing a lot of flak on the price rise issue.

She has already dedicated the budget to the "common man" and also perhaps to the Assembly polls in Bengal next year.

She is also likely to announce expediting project works of upcoming locomotive and coach manufacturing units in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal and expansion of Kolkata Metro network.

With frequent train accidents becoming a major issue for railways, she is likely to announce enhanced budgetary allocation to address the problem.

Some of the safety measures include the implementation of Anti-Collision Device (ACD) and Train Protection Warning System (TPWS) in certain congested routes.

Improving passenger amenities in stations and onboard trains, tightening security measures which include raising a special all-woman force would also find mention in the budget.

On Tuesday evening, she called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and took him into confidence about the budgetary proposals. The visit was described as a customary exercise.

Soon after the meeting, Banerjee held consultations with senior members of the Railway Board, apparently to work out last-minute revisions.

Source ANI

Melbourne: Australian fast bowler Brett Lee announced his retirement from Test cricket in order to prolong his career in the shorter forms of the game, saying he wants to be part of the World Twenty20 and the ICC Cricket World Cup squads.

 

Lee said at a press conference on Wednesday that his body was no longer up to the rigours of Test cricket, but he hoped his decision to quit the Test arena would prolong his international career.

 

“Its not the finish or the end of me, I still a lot of cricket left in me. I’d love to be a part of the T20 World Cup and then further down the track next year, with my love of India, I would love to be a part of the 50-over one-day World Cup,” FOX Sports quoted Lee, as saying.

 

Australia captain Ricky Ponting showered praise on the paceman by saying that he would go down as “one of Australia’s great fast bowlers”.

 

Lee, Australia’s fourth-highest Test wicket-taker, with 310 wickets at 30.81 in 76 Tests, burst onto the Test scene in the summer of 1999-2000, making his debut against India in the Boxing Day Test.

 

He took 5-47 in the first innings and finishing with seven wickets for the match.

 

Lee said he was very honoured to have represented his country, and proud of what he had achieved in the Test arena.

 

“I am extremely proud to have played Test cricket for Australia. My reason for retiring from this form of the game is so that I can preserve my body and continue to represent my country in the other forms of the game,” he said.

 

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland paid tribute to Lee and his outstanding efforts playing for the Australia over the past 10 years.

Source ANI

Beijing: Terming the February 25 foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan as an ‘exploratory’ meeting, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said Islamabad wants a meaningful dialogue with New Delhi.

Interacting with media persons after addressing the Institute of International Studies here, Qureshi said all issues confronting both countries must come up for discussions during the upcoming talks.

“After 14 months, they have re-engaged with us and have invited us for a dialogue. Pakistan wants a dialogue with India, but we want a meaningful dialogue. We want that all issues of concern to both sides should be brought on the table so that the dialogue is serious and meaningful,” The News quoted Qureshi, as saying.

Qureshi  also claimed that India, through a  joint communiqué, had agreed that acts of terrorism would not impede the process of dialogue between both nations.

He held that it was after unfortunate and tragic Mumbai incident that the Indian’s had unilaterally suspended the dialogue. India, he continued, had agreed with Pakistan through a joint communiqué that acts of terrorism will not impede the process of dialogue.

Qureshi said the ball is now India’s court, and the outcome the talks would largely depend on its approach.

“We have to see what comes out of the meeting on February 25.Pakistan is showing a constructive approach and if India also exhibits the same spirit obviously there will be  progress,” Qureshi said.

Meanwhile,  State Minister Malik Amad Khan has said that Pakistan has made it clear to India that all outstanding issues, including water and Kashmir, will be taken up at the bilateral talks.

Amad said Pakistan’s interests will be protected if India demands the extradition of Jammat-ud-Daawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, who New Delhi considers as the prime plotter of the 26/11 attacks, or any other citizen during talks.

Source ANI