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देश में आज जिस तरह से भाजपा की नीतियों के प्रति उत्साह दिख रहा है वह इस बात का संकेत है कि एनडीए की सरकार दो तिहाई बहुमत से केंद्र में आएगी।

‘पीएम मोदी की विश्‍वसनीयता और आमजन का उन पर विश्‍वास, ये हैं जनता के बीच बड़े मुद्दे‘

नरेंद्र मोदी की सरकार में जिस व्यक्ति ने सबसे ज्यादा मंत्रालयों की जिम्मेदारी सभाली है वह हैं रेल और कोयला मंत्री पीयूष गोयल। इसके पहले वह वित्त मंत्रालय, बिजली मंत्रालय, गैरपारंपरिक ऊर्जा स्त्रोत मंत्रालय की जिम्मेदारी भी संभाल चुके हैं। आम चुनाव की घोषणा होने के बाद से वह महाराष्ट्र के अलावा देश के तमाम दूसरे हिस्सों में चुनाव प्रचार में व्यस्त हैं। उन्होंने दैनिक जागरण के विशेष संवाददाता जयप्रकाश रंजन से बात की। मुख्य अंश

पहले चरण का चुनाव खत्म हो चुका है, एक राजनेता के तौर पर अभी किस तरह का आकलन कर रहे हैं आप

पहले चरण में देश के अधिकतर हिस्से में चुनाव तो हुआ है लेकिन सीटों की संख्या कम है, इसके बावजूद इससे जनता के मन का पता चलता है। सबसे पहले तो हर वर्ग के मतदाताओं का धन्यवाद जिन्होंने अपने मत का प्रयोग किया। यह हमारे लिए खुशी की बात है कि उत्तर प्रदेश, बिहार, पश्चिम बंगाल, ओडिशा, असम और खास तौर पर पूर्वोत्तर की तरफ से जिस तरह के संकेत मिले हैं वह लाजवाब हैं। हमारे कार्यकर्ताओं के साथ ही आम जनता जिस तरह से भाजपा की नीतियों के प्रति उत्साह दिखा रही है वह इस बात का संकेत है कि एनडीए की सरकार दो तिहाई बहुमत से केंद्र में आएगी।

अब किन मुद्दों को आप जनता में चर्चा के तौर पर देख रहे हैं जो चुनावों को प्रभावित भी करने जा रहे हैं

पीएम नरेंद्र मोदी की विश्र्वसनीयता और उन पर आम भारतीय का भरोसा। यह दो मुद्दे हैं जो सबसे ज्यादा प्रभावित कर रहे हैं। वैसे मैं यह भी कह सकता हूं कि देश की जनता आज नहीं बल्कि छह महीने पहले ही अपना मन बना चुकी थी। पीएम के स्तर पर निर्णायक फैसला लेने की क्षमता, बेहद सशक्त व्यक्तित्व, आम जनता से जुड़ी समस्याओं को बड़े परिप्रेक्ष्य में देखते हुए उनका समाधान निकालने का मद्दा और देश को समग्र विकास की तरफ तेजी से ले जाने की नीतियां..ये सब बाते हैं जो आम जनता महसूस करती है।

मैं यह नहीं कहता कि पहले विकास नहीं हुआ लेकिन अब ढीले विकास का काम करने वाली सरकार को जनता स्वीकार नहीं करेगी। जनता को मालूम है कि मोदी के नेतृत्व में राष्ट्रभक्ति से प्रेरित एक ईमानदार सरकार काम करती है जो राष्ट्रवाद के मुद्दे पर कठोर फैसला करती है। गरीब से गरीब व्यक्ति को सरकारी लाभ घर बैठे मिल रहा है, मसलन उसे बिजली कनेक्शन मिल रहा है, एलपीजी कनेक्शन मिल रहा है, स्वास्थ्य सेवा मिल रही है। ये सब पहली बार हो रहा है और ये वैसे मुद्दे हैं जो सीधे तौर पर देश की बड़ी आबादी को प्रभावित करते हैं। यही वजह है कि अब यह साफ हो चुका है कि मोदी जी के सामने कोई नहीं है।

आपकी पार्टी ने सबसे बड़ा गठबंधन बना लिया है, यह आपके लिए बोझ है या वरदान है

देखिए इस सवाल का जवाब मैं थोड़ा दूसरी तरह से देना चाहूंगा। आप देश के किसी भी हिस्से में चले जाओ वहां मोदी बनाम किसी दूसरे नेता की चर्चा नहीं हो रही है जैसा कि आम तौर पर अभी तक भारत के चुनावों में होता रहा है। असलियत में सिर्फ मोदी ही हैं जो राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर एक सर्वमान्य नेता के तौर पर स्थापित हैं। उनके सामने कोई नेता अभी तक पनप ही नहीं पाया है। और यह बात हमने जिस तरह से पूरे देश में गठबंधन स्थापित किया है उससे भी साबित होता है।

हमारा गठबंधन पूर्वोत्तर से लेकर असम, बिहार, महाराष्ट्र, केरल, पंजाब समेत ज्यादातर राज्यों में मजबूत हुआ है और यह इसलिए भी हुआ है कि गठबंधन करने वाले दलों को मालूम है कि मोदी के नेतृत्व में ही एक मजबूत स्थाई सरकार दी जा सकती है और उनका और देश का भविष्य सुरक्षित है। पिछले वर्ष हमारे पास पूर्ण बहुमत था लेकिन हमने अन्य सभी गठबंधन के दलों को सरकार में जगह दी और उन्हें सम्मान दिया। इसका लाभ हमें मिल रहा है।

हाल ही मे देखा गया है कि कुछ फिल्मी दुनिया के लोगों ने और फिर सेना से जुड़े पूर्व अधिकारियों ने सरकार के काम काज पर अपना ऐतराज जताया है, इसे कैसे देखते हैं आप?

हमारा देश एक लोकत्रांतिक राष्ट्र है और यहां हर किसी को अपनी बात कहने का पूरा अधिकार है। हर क्षेत्र में कुछ ऐसे लोग होंगे जिन्हें हमारी नीतियां पसंद नहीं होगी। लेकिन आपने देखा होगा कि अगर कुछ लोग हमारी नीतियों को पसंद नहीं कर रहे हैं तो उसी वर्ग में ऐसे भी कई लोग होंगे जिन्हें हमारा काम पसंद आ रहा है।

बालीवुड का ही उदाहरण ले लीजिए कुछ सौ लोगों को हमारी नीतियां पसंद नहीं आई तो उसके कुछ ही दिनों बाद तकरीबन 700 लोगों ने मोदी सरकार की नीतियों का समर्थन भी किया। इसी तरह से अर्थशास्ति्रयों के एक समूह ने हमारी आर्थिक नीतियों का विरोध किया लेकिन साथ ही अर्थशास्ति्रयों के एक बड़े समूह ने आंकड़ों के साथ उनके दावों को धवस्त कर दिया। लेकिन मैं यह भी कहूंगा कि इसमें कुछ राजनीतिक बौखलाहट भी दिखाई देती है।

सेना को बार-बार राजनीति में घसीटा जा रहा है, यह कहां तक उचित है?
हम तो सेना के साथ कोई राजनीति नहीं कर रहे। हमारी सरकार तो सेना को बस उन्हें वह राजनीतिक समर्थन दे रही है जिसकी जरूरत महसूस की जाती है ताकि देश को आतंकवादियों के हाथों या दुश्मनों से सुरक्षित किया जा सके। मैं मुंबई से आता हूं और यह मेरे लिए शर्मनाक है कि वर्ष 2008 में आतंकियों ने मुंबई में घुस कर सैकड़ों भारतीयों की हत्या कर दी। अगर तब ही सरकार ने आतंकवादियों के आकाओं के खिलाफ बड़ी कार्रवाई कर दी होती तो हमें बाद में आतंकी हमले नहीं झेलने पड़ते।

सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने राफेल पर दो दिन पहले जो टिप्पणी की है उसे कांग्रेस अपनी जीत बता रही है..क्या सरकार बैकफुट पर है?
कतई नहीं। कांग्रेस शुरू से ही इस मुद्दे पर भ्रम फैला रही है। दुर्भाग्य यह है कि कांग्रेस एक राजनीतिक पार्टी के तौर पर फेल हो चुकी है। वह किसी न किसी तरह से इस मुद्दे को जारी रखना चाहती है। कोर्ट के सामने यह कहा गया था कि कुछ कागजात जो सरकारी गोपनीयता दस्तावेज कानून के तहत चिन्हित हैं और जिसे गैर कानूनी तरीके से निकाला गया है।

कोर्ट से पूछा गया था कि क्या उस पर जब पूरे मामले पर बहस होगी तो गौर किया जा सकता है और कोर्ट न कहा है कि हां उस पर भी विचार किया जाना चाहिए। हम इस निर्णय का स्वागत करते हैं। हमारा दामन साफ है इसलिए कोई चिंता नहीं है। कांग्रेस सुप्रीम कोर्ट के फैसले पर अनाप-शनाप बयान दे रही है, यह बेहद शर्मनाक है। वह देश की सुरक्षा के साथ खिलवाड़ कर रही है जिसका जवाब स्वयं जनता देगी।

विपक्ष व कुछ अर्थशात्रियों की तरफ से लगातार यह कहा जा रहा है कि भारत में विकास बगैर रोजगार के हो रहा है। संभवत: आम चुनाव में भी रोजगार मुद्दा है। क्या आप रोजगार के मुद्दे पर अपनी सरकार की स्थिति स्पष्ट करना चाहेंगे?

बिल्कुल। देखिए रोजगार या जीवन यापन के जो तरीके थे वे सिर्फ भारत में ही नहीं बल्कि पूरी दुनिया में ही बदल रहे हैं। सरकारी दफ्तर या बड़े संगठित उद्योगों में रोजगार के अवसर पूरी दुनिया में सीमित हो रहे हैं। छोटे छोटे काम करने वालों की संख्या बढ़ रही है। उद्योगों का स्वरूप बदल रहा है और इसके साथ ही उनमें रोजगार के तरीके में भी बदलाव आ रहा है। अब आप सोलर पॉवर को ले लीजिए।

भारत में 1.75 लाख मेगावाट क्षमता के सोलर प्लांट लगेंगे, लेकिन इनमें रोजगार का स्वरूप वैसा नहीं रहेगा जैसा कि पुराने जमाने में थर्मल पॉवर प्लांट में होता था। हालांकि यहां भी लाखों लोगों को रोजगार मिलेगा लेकिन यह छोटे-छोटे समूहों में मिलेगा। इसी तरह से खुदरा कारोबार करने वालों की संख्या भारत में तेजी से बढ़ी है और आगे भी बढ़ेगी। सात करोड़ छोटे बड़े दुकानदार भारत में हैं। ओला, उबर जैसे स्टार्ट अप में लाखों लोग काम करने लगे हैं। सरकार कौशल विकास को बढ़ावा दे रही है, स्टार्ट अप को बढ़ावा दे रहे हैं, उद्यमशीलता को बढ़ावा दे रहे हैं।

फिर आपकी सरकार रोजगार पर आंकड़े क्यों नहीं पेश कर रही है?
अभी तक जो डाटा बन रहा था वह काफी पुरानी परंपरा के मुताबिक था। हालात बदल चुके हैं और नया डाटा ऐसा होना चाहिए कि वह रोजगार की सही स्थिति बता सके। पुराने तरीके से हम रोजगार के नए आंकड़ों को नहीं पेश कर सकते। सबसे पहले हमें यह देखना होगा कि नए डाटा को जुटाने का तरीका क्या होना चाहिए। यह कुछ वैसा ही है जैसा डॉक्टर पहले बीमारी का पता लगाता है तभी सही इलाज करता है। नए डाटा में हमें स्वयं का काम करने वाले लोगों को विस्तृत तौर पर शामिल करना होगा। हम यह काम कर रहे हैं।

Source: https://www.jagran.com/elections/lok-sabha-lok-sabha-election-2019-piyush-goyal-said-in-a-interview-that-first-phase-of-election-has-shown-strong-indication-jagran-special-19132351.html

Govt. under the able leadership of PM Narendra Modi ji is committed to ensuring all-round development of every section of society and every region of India

Piyush Goyal,BJP manifesto,BJP poll camapaign

Union minister Piyush Goyal speaks to Shishir Gupta about a range of issues including the BJP’s election manifesto, agriculture, economic growth and his party’s prospects in the Lok Sabha elections.

What’s your big takeout from the manifesto?

I think it’s a manifesto which has reiterated the priorities of a continuum government. The fact that we are committed to national security, the fact that we are committed to ensuring all-round development of every section of society and every region of India has been given a big thrust through specific programmes that will help an emerging India. We have committed ourselves to fiscal prudence and to continue this path of strengthening Indian economic growth story. The Rs 100 lakh crore investment on infrastructure to my mind is a game-changer. What we are looking at is an empowered India, not an India that depends on doles and weak governments.

This farm focus that you have, one of the key things is expanding the PM-Kisan programme to all farmers. Do you think there will be enough money to do all this?

One thing about Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi, which I observed both in 2014 and now, he ensures that we don’t make any commitment which is fiscally imprudent. So, every commitment made in the manifesto goes through a rigorous budgeting process to ensure that adequate funding will be available and no programme is just a promise which we cannot fulfil or which will cause the economy go to into despair in some other way.

The Congress has said your manifesto has nothing about jobs.

I think an elementary reading of this ‘Sankalp Patra’ will show you that everything that we have written in this is going to create opportunities for people to work, jobs, increase livelihoods. After all, this ?100 lakh crore is money that is going to go into ecosystems, it is going to be invested, it is going to be spent. And none of it is possible without people working for it.

There are two or three of the slightly controversial elements in the manifesto – one is of course the Citizenship Amendment Bill, which created so much furore in the north-east, which you were unable to get through Parliament. And then the continued emphasis on Article 370 and 35A, which is bound to create some ripples in some parts of the country. What are your views on this?

As far as the Citizenship Amendment Bill, we are committed to it. And we will pass it through both Houses of Parliament. Protecting the interests of N-E and the states or any state which has its own ethnic identity, which has its own local issues, I think we can create a balance between the two. But we are committed to the Citizenship Bill and we believe it’s important to save the country from infiltrators who have no right to be in this country.

I am surprised to see it in the manifesto, given how controversial it has been.

Well, this government has not decided its priorities based on the controversies of what others think we should do. We have looked at what is good for the nation and what is good for the people of India. Similarly, in Kashmir, this isolationist policy that we have on Kashmir for so many years, because of which we have created a ghetto-like mentality, we have almost pushed them into one corner and they are hardly integrating with the rest of the country. We believe we have to remove Article 370, sort out these issues, get Kashmir to merge into the national mainstream, be a part of this growth story, be a part of this development, enjoy the fruits of the nation going forward, becoming a world superpower, and rid itself of terrorism.

One of the other aspects in your manifesto was the 33% reservation for women. But despite that, when you look at the candidates in this election, across all parties, there aren’t enough.

We are committed to the 33% women’s reservation and believe that national consensus will have to be built around that. We have seen women getting empowered through the panchayat system, wherever we have been able to get more and more women to participate. I would like to appeal to women in this country also to look at a greater degree of engagement so that women can emerge as leaders and candidates who can win elections and naturally become candidates in elections. I think our party encourages women at all levels across the country, it’s probably the first time we have so many women in the cabinet. No other government in the past had the foreign minister and the defence minister that were women and part of the CCS. This government’s intentions are reflected by its deeds.

You have been a party treasurer for long and in the context of the raids that were conducted in MP yesterday, how much does black money play a role in politics?

For the BJP, we have never encouraged bad money to come into politics. We have always looked at collections from across the country from our support system, from our cadres and over the years ours is one party which has always believed in the highest standards of transparency, quality accounting, quality audit of all our expenses, of all our collections. We believe that it’s important that good people come forward and participate in democratic process of politics so that good money drives Indian politics. Which is why we brought in the concept of electoral bonds. In fact, the Congress had brought in electoral trusts, which were very similar to the electoral bonds. I don’t know why they are making a fuss and crying over it.

What’s your overall sense of this election, compared to 2014?

I think this is an election where people are going to vote for a government that can provide security, a strong leadership, a government that stands committed to a clean and honest good governance agenda, a government that can protect the lives and security of every citizen, that can fight terrorism, a government that is truly wedded to the all-round development of every citizen and every part of the country, including the N-E, eastern parts, some parts of north India that have been deprived of development for decades.

Source:https://www.hindustantimes.com/lok-sabha-elections/lok-sabha-elections-2019-pm-ensures-we-don-t-make-any-fiscally-imprudent-commitment-says-union-minister-piyush-goyal/story-gztwFEHjL2DSSaojqXIa5M.html

PM Narendra Modi ji believes in empowering a person rather than making him dependent on doles. The whole Sankalp Patra is an agenda for empowerment where every promise is properly budgeted

Piyush Goyal, minister for railways and coal, who presented NDA’s last budget, spoke to Sidhartha on BJP’s manifesto. He details specific promises and the source of funding to fulfil them:

What will be the extent of increase in coverage of the PM-Kisan scheme if it is to cover all farmers and what was the rationale for expanding its scope?

We have kept it at two hectares and we plan to cover 12 crore farmer families, and work is going on at a breakneck speed. One instalment has already gone and we are constantly asking states to share the list of beneficiaries. One genuine issue that came to our attention was that in many areas farmers have larger holdings but (they) are rain-fed or suffer from drought or flooding. There are areas like Bundelkhand which are very dry. Farmers, small and large, have collectively helped India become self-sufficient in foodgrains and other crops. So, we thought every farmer should get the benefit. This will add probably three crore or so (to total).

How do you cover share croppers and tenant farmers?

We are looking at more and more ways to empower them. We will have to work on creating the database of tenant farmers to give more benefits. Tenancy records are not available. The difference between BJP’s manifesto and anybody else’s manifesto is that we look at doability. For us the credibility of what we say is very important.

What will be the scale of the pension scheme for small and marginal farmers?

We will work it out once we come back. Now that we have the database of farmers because of PM-Kisan, it will help us with the pension scheme. It is unfortunate that many states are not allowing benefits to citizens, especially the poor and farmers. Why are they politicising welfare measures?

What is the rationale of interest-free loans of up to Rs 1 lakh for farmers who pay on time?

Small farmers face challenges on profitability. Very often there is stress around the ability to service interest. Therefore, the loan duration will be one to five years and they won’t have the pressure to repay loans after every cropping season. Very often, that also creates pressure on the farmers as they have to borrow to repay this loan. All that is an unnecessary burden. With the interest subvention (subsidy), over 10 years, whole loan will become free.

How much will all this cost and where are you going to get the money from?

Every one of our promises is budgeted. We have looked at the growth in revenues and our ability to service all these promises. The country is becoming more honest and without increasing the tax rates the base is expanding. Several of our schemes such as Ujjwala, Saubhagya and building toilets are getting over and will not need budgetary support. So, thousands of crores will now be available to service new areas, particularly for the poor and the farmers.

For the middle class you have promised lower taxes. What are the details of the plan?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and finance minister Arun Jaitley have given relief to the middle class in one form or another. The PM spoke about respect for honesty and respect for honest taxpayers. We believe that our taxpayers and businessmen are basically honest people and create jobs, wealth and infrastructure. We want the middle class to have more money in their pockets so that the family can spend for the welfare of their children and parents.

You have a very ambitious investment target of Rs 100 lakh crore. Where is the money going to come from and will the economy have the capacity to absorb this much investment?

Resources are not a constraint. People want to invest in an economy that has the kind of potential that we offer. The funding plan includes budgetary support, viability gap funding, investment by PSUs, etc. As we expand highways, ports, railways, we will create investment and job opportunities. Investing Rs 100 lakh crore in infrastructure itself will have a nearly Rs 25-30 lakh crore labour and employment component. We have drawn up sector-wise plans. In railways for instance, we have a Rs 25 lakh crore plan but we have included around Rs 8 lakh crore or so. We have looked at the five-year component.

The opposition has been attacking you on your jobs record. Does the manifesto really address the issue?

It’s elementary. There are two ways – you empower a person or you make him dependent on a dole. You teach him to fish or you give a temporary fish and then you run out of fish. But when you teach him to fish, there is a huge ocean out there and a man will never run out of fish. That’s what PM Modi believes in and that’s what BJP believes in. That’s economically prudent, that’s good for the nation. The whole Sankalp Patra (manifesto) is an agenda for empowerment.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/toi-edit-page/sankalp-patra-is-an-agenda-for-empowerment-for-bjp-credibility-of-what-we-say-is-very-important/

Making safety its foremost priority, Indian Railways has registered the safest year ever with number of fatalities reducing by more than 75% in 2018-19, as compared to 2013-14

The financial year 2018-19 has been declared as the safest year for Indian Railways.

Indian Railways sets new record in FY 2018-19 for being the safest year in the history of the national transporter! With significant reduction in the number of consequential accidents, in number of fatalities and injury figures, Piyush Goyal-led Indian Railways has made big achievement on the safety front. In the past five years, several measures were implemented to improve safety in train operations, says Indian Railways. The financial year 2018-19 has been declared as the safest year for Indian Railways. As per the data provided by the national transporter, the number of consequential accidents, including collisions, level crossing accidents, fire in trains, derailment and miscellaneous, have reduced from 1130 in 1980-81 to 59 in 2018-19, resulting in 94.8% reduction. The number is the lowest ever figure in the history of the national transporter, making 2018-19 the safest year.

According to Indian Railways, during the same period, the number of fatalities has reduced to 37 in 2018-19 from 658 in 1981-82, with a total of 94.4% reduction. Also, the injury figures decreased to 108 in 2018-19 from 1144 from 1981-82, with recording 90.6% reduction. During the same period, the globally recognized safety measure namely Accidents Per Million Train Kilometres has also displayed significant improvement. The total number of Accidents Per Million Train Kilometres reduced to an all time low figure of 0.06 in 2018-19 from a high figure of 2.20 in 1981-82.

According to Indian Railways’ data, as compared to 2013-14, the number of accidents has been reduced from 118 to 59 in 2018-19, number of fatalities reduced from 152 to 37, number of injuries reduced from 234 to 108 and number of Accidents Per Million Train Kilometres reduced from 0.10 to 0.06.

Interestingly, last financial year, i.e 2017-18 was also recorded to be the safest year for Indian Railways, but this year with continued safety measures, it has been bettered further. As compared to 2017-18, the number of accidents has been reduced from 73 to 59 in 2018-19, number of fatalities reduced from 57 to 37, number of injuries reduced from 197 to 108 and number of Accidents Per Million Train Kilometres reduced from 0.09 to 0.06.

Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/safest-year-this-new-record-by-indian-railways-in-fy19-will-cheer-every-passenger/1538744/

Make in Raebareli: Giving a thrust to the Make in India initiative, the Modern Coach Factory of Raebareli is set to export world-class customised coaches.

Indian Railways set to export customised ‘Make in India’ coaches to Mozambique! In a first for the Modern Coach Factory (MCF) Raebareli, the Indian Railways coach manufacturing facility will export 90 coaches to South Africa’s Mozambique through RITES.

MCF RaeBareli to export world-class coaches

Indian Railways will customise the coaches in terms of gauge, length and interiors to suit the needs of Mozambique railways.

Indian Railways set to export customised ‘Make in India’ coaches to Mozambique! In a first for the Modern Coach Factory (MCF) Raebareli, the Indian Railways coach manufacturing facility will export 90 coaches to South Africa’s Mozambique through RITES. Talking about the special project, an MCF official told Financial Express Online that the first batch of coaches will be rolled out by September this year. “We will roll out the 90 coaches in three batches of 30 each,” the MCF official said, adding that these coaches would be of “cape” gauge, which is a variant in between broad and meter gauge.

Indian Railways will customise the coaches in terms of gauge, length and interiors to suit the needs of Mozambique railways. MCF will ‘Make in India’ coaches of all varieties for Mozambique – AC First class, AC 2nd class, AC 3rd class, pantry cars, generator cars, non-AC restroom cars etc. The coaches for Mozambique will be of 1,067 mm cape gauge and the length will be shorter compared to the Indian Railways LHB coaches. According to the official quoted above, MCF hopes to complete the export order by end of March 2020. “We are finalising the details of the design, then tenders will be floated and work will start,” the official said.

According to MCF officials, it is early to put an estimate on the cost of manufacturing these coaches. “An LHB coach costs around Rs 2.2 crore on an average, but given that the Mozambique coaches will be shorter in length and of cape gauge, the cost should be less than Rs 2 crore per coach,” the official said.

A team of officials from Mozambique railways recently visited MCF, Rae Bareli and the Indian Railways coach factory noted the specifications of the order. “We will use the same platform as the one for Indian Railways but there will be changes in the gauge and the length, so an entirely new design will be prepared for these world-class coaches,” RP Sharma, CPRO of MCF told Financial Express Online.

Indian Railways is betting big on MCF to manufacture state-of-the-art modern world-class coaches with the help of advanced robotics. Modi government in its Budget for 2018-2019 had sanctioned Rs 480 crore to augment the production capacity of MCF from 1,000 to 3,000 per year by the end of 2020-2021. The national transporter is also hoping to transfer the technology for manufacturing Train 18 or Vande Bharat Expres-type train sets from ICF to MCF, so that the production for these next-generation rakes can be scaled up.

Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/indian-railways-goes-global-mcf-raebareli-to-export-world-class-customised-1st-ac-2nd-ac-and-other-coaches/1511078/

यात्री हित मे बड़ा निर्णय: दो कनैक्टेड ट्रेनों में सफर करने वाले यात्रियों को एक ही PNR पर टिकट दिए जायेंगे। मुख्य ट्रेन के लेट होने की स्थिति में दूसरी ट्रेन का पूरा किराया वापस किया जायेगा।

नई दिल्ली (बिजनेस डेस्क)। मुख्य ट्रेन लेट होने के कारण कनेक्टिंग ट्रेन छूट जाने पर अब आपको रिफंड लेने के लिए धक्के नहीं खाने पड़ेंगे। रेलवे ने ऐसे यात्रियों को राहत देने के लिए टिकट एवं रिफंड के नियमों में संशोधन किया है। इसके तहत अब मुख्य (पहली) और कनेक्टिंग (अगली या दूसरी) ट्रेनों के लिए अलग-अलग के बजाय एक ही पीएनआर पर टिकट जारी होगा। साथ ही मुख्य ट्रेन लेट होने के कारण कनेक्टिंग ट्रेन छूट जाने पर कनेक्टिंग ट्रेन की यात्रा के हिस्से का पूरा किराया वापस मिलेगा।यह सुविधा यात्री आरक्षण प्रणाली (पीआरएस) काउंटर और ई-टिकट दोनों पर मिलेगी, लेकिन इसके लिए अलग-अलग तरीके अपनाने होंगे।

पीआरएस काउंटर से खरीदे गए टिकट के मामले में लेट होने वाली मुख्य ट्रेन की यात्रा जिस स्टेशन पर खत्म होगी उसी स्टेशन के काउंटर पर रिफंड का क्लेम तीन घंटे के भीतर पीआरएस काउंटर पर करना होगा। ई-टिकट के मामले में करंट काउंटर पर तीन घंटे के भीतर मुख्य ट्रेन लेट होने का कारण बताते हुए टीडीआर फाइल करनी होगी।

किसी वजह से करंट काउंटर उपलब्ध न हो अथवा बंद हो तो उस स्थिति में तीन दिन के भीतर उसी स्टेशन पर टीडीआर फाइल की जा सकती है। संबंधित जोन का मुख्य वाणिज्यक प्रबंधक (सीसीएम) या रिफंड आफिस जांच के बाद पूरा रिफंड यात्री के खाते में ट्रांसफर करने का आदेश जारी करेगा।

अभी तक एक के बाद दूसरी कनेक्टिंग ट्रेन पकड़ने वाले यात्रियों को दोनों ट्रेनों के लिए अलग-अलग पीएनआर से टिकट जारी होते थे। इससे रिफंड क्लेम करने में यात्रियों को परेशानी होती थी। अब दोनों ट्रेनों के लिए एक ही पीएनआर होने से यह दिक्कत समाप्त हो जाएगी।

Source: https://www.jagran.com/business/biz-indian-railways-refund-claims-easier-for-connecting-journeys-18976692.html

Under leadership of PM Narendra Modi, Govt has approved the sale of 25% of annual output from captive coal mines in open market. It will give a boost to electricity generation and bring economic development & employment opportunities in coal-rich states

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the methodology for allowing the allocatee of coal mines for specified end use or own consumption to sell 25% of actual production on ROM basis in open market with payment of additional premium on such sale under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 and the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.

This new methodology provides that, in case of coal mines earmarked for specified end uses or own consumption, the allocatees are mandated to utilize a minimum of 75% of its actual production (ROM basis) in specified end use plants and are allowed to sell upto 25% in open market. In case of auctions, the successful bidder shall be required to pay an additional premium of 15% of its final bid price on per tonne basis, for the actual quantity of coal sold in open market. The additional premium will be over and above the final bid price. In case of allotments, the successful allotee shall be required to pay an additional reserve price of 15% of the Reserve Price, for the actual quantity of coal sold in open market. The additional reserve price will be over and above the Reserve Price.

This methodology attempts to address the issue of lack of response from the bidders during the earlier tranches of auction/allotment under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015.

The methodology will give certain flexibility to allocattee in cases of change in economic situation, business cycle, End Use Plant requirement etc.

It is expected to make the on-going and future tranches of auction and allotment attractive and commercially viable and may increase the competition in the auction process.

It is also expected to increase competitiveness and tine higher investment should create direct and indirect employment in coal bearing areas especially in mining sector and will have an impact on economic development of these regions.

Background:

Presently, the allocatee of coal mines for specified end use or own consumption are not permitted to sell coal in open market. As per existing conditions, any coal which is extracted in excess of the requirement of the Bidder in terms of conditions of Tender Document is required to be supplied to CIL at the CIL Notified Price less 15 percent of such CIL Notified Price (to take care of CIL handling expenses with respect to such coal). Also such sale should not exceed 50% of the annual coal production from the mine.

Source: http://pib.nic.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1565273

India’s first Semi-High Speed, Self-Propelled train, built under PM Narendra Modi’s Make in India initiative, will be known as the ‘Vande Bharat Express’ – Indian Railways contribution in building a New India

Today, Minister of Railways & Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal announced the name Vande Bharat Express for Train 18, acknowledging its made-in-India status. He called it a ‘vandaniya’ step towards realisation of New India vision. This train set has been manufactured by Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in the period of 18 months under ‘Make in India’ program.

Since the launch of Rajdhani trains, Vande Bharat Express is the next major leap for Indian Railways in terms of speed and convenience. It is India’s first semi-high speed train equipped with world class passenger amenities.

It can achieve high speeds (max speed of 160 kmph) due to faster acceleration & deceleration and will reduced journey time by 25% to 45%. Scheduled commute between New Delhi & Varanasi will take approximately 8 hours making it 40-50% faster than the fastest train currently connecting these two cities.

Vande Bharat Express incorporates many modern features which debut for the very first time on Indian Railways. It has been provided with ‘State of the Art’ passenger amenities like On-board wifi entertainment, GPS based passenger information system, CCTVs, bio-vacuum toilets, rotating chairs in executive class, etc. at par with global standards. It also has provision of Divyang-friendly facilities. It will have 16 coaches with Chair Car type configuration with 2 Executive Class Chair Cars and 14 Chair Cars.

Further, it has intelligent braking system with power regeneration for better energy efficiency thereby making it cost, energy and environment efficient.

Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been requested to flag off this train. This is a momentous progress towards New India.

Source: http://pib.nic.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1561592

Rail-Coal Synergy has led to a 25% increase in Coal Stock in thermal power plants, ensuring ample production of electricity to meet India’s ever-growing energy needs

New Delhi: Coal stock in thermal power plants has increased by 25% due to synergy between Railway and Coal ministries. According to information provided by the Coal Ministry, the coal stock in power plants as on 31 December 2018 was 16.6 million tonne (MT), compared to 13.19 MT stock a year ago. This increase of 3.41 MT is about 25% as compared to last year.

Similarly, as on 31 December 2018, only nine power plants out of a total of 124 were in the “critical” or “super-critical” category, whereas this number was 13 a year ago.

Also, the coal stock in power plants on 31 December 2018 was sufficient for 10 days. This number has come down to eight, as per latest update from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

Critical stock refers to coal availability at a power station for less than seven days, while super-critical stock refers to availability for less than four days.

Interestingly, the coal stock situation was worst about five years ago. As per the CEA figures, as many as 44 plants (out of 100) were having either critical or super-critical coal stock on 1 January 2014.

Overall, average railway rakes per day to power sectors from April to December 2018 was 251.8.

The figure for the corresponding period of previous year was 219.7.

This has resulted in sufficient supply of coal to the power plants. Interestingly, both the coal and railway ministries are headed by Piyush Goyal.

As per information, the coal supply from Coal India Limited (CIL) to power plants was 357.5 MT as on 30 December 2018, as compared to 332.03 MT a year ago. The increase of the coal supply from CIL to power plants is about 7.7% compared to a year ago.

According to a Railway official, in addition to the monitoring mechanism available at coal companies and CIL, coal supplies to power utility sector is monitored regularly by an inter-ministerial sub-group comprising representatives of ministries of Power, Coal and Railways constituted by Infrastructure review Committee of Cabinet Secretariat.

This sub-group, he said, takes various operational decisions for meeting any contingent situations relating to the power sector, including critical coal stock position for power plants.

Source: https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/business/power-plants-no-longer-critical-higher-coal-stock