Latest news with #RailwayDepartment
Hans India
01-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
PM Modi asks States CSs to finish projects on time
Vijayawada: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed the Chief Secretaries of various States to complete various national and inter-State projects on time. He held a video conference with the Chief Secretaries from Delhi on Wednesday to discuss the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana grievance redressal, Tumkur-Rayadurga via Kalyanadurga new railway line project, and the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana scheme. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister directed the completion of various national and inter-state projects on time and expeditiously. Similarly, he said that the complaints related to the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana should be resolved quickly. He instructed the Chief Secretaries to take steps for the successful implementation of the PM Vishwakarma Yojana scheme. He directed the Railway Department to coordinate with Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka to take steps to complete the construction of the Tumkur railway line on time. Chief Secretary K Vijayanand, who participated in the video conference virtually from Delhi, informed the Prime Minister that the Tumkur-Rayadurga via Kanyanadurga new line (206 km) project was approved in 2009. The project cost was Rs 970.34 crore and the work was to be completed by 2015. Due to delays, the revised cost has reached Rs 2495.86 crore. He also said that the completion time of the work has been increased to 2027. He informed the Prime Minister that out of a total of 93 km of this railway line, 75 km has already been started in Andhra Pradesh. He said that the work of the remaining 18 km is in progress. He also informed the Prime Minister that no land acquisition work is pending from the State.
New Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Cantonment commercial project sparks outrage over plan to cut 368 trees in Bengaluru
BENGALURU: The Commercial Development Project at Cantonment by the Railway Department has courted controversy, as it requires the felling of a staggering 368 trees — including Peepal, Rubber, and Christmas trees — many of which are over a hundred years old. Amid this development, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Forest Wing has invited objections from the public before granting approval for the project. Enraged by the proposal, environmental activists have called for the project to be stalled if it involves cutting down trees. According to an objection notice issued by the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), BBMP Forest Division, the Joint General Manager (Projects/Expert) of the Railway Land Development Authority, Ministry of Railways, Government of India, has submitted an application for the removal of trees located within the Bangalore Cantonment Railway Colony premises in Vasanth Nagar for the 'Commercial Development Project.' BLG Swamy, the DCF, BBMP Forest Wing, said that the notification was published last Friday. As per the notification, the public has 10 days to submit objections, comments, and suggestions regarding the project. 'Based on public objections to the project, a communication will be made with the Railway Department. If the public is not in favour of cutting trees, the BBMP Forest Department cannot permit the felling of trees,' Swamy said. Expressing strong resentment, Biodiversity Management Committee member Vijay Nishanth said that whenever governments have attempted to axe trees for unnecessary projects, citizen groups have successfully launched protests to stall them in the past. 'A campaign will be launched under the title 'Save Cantonment Heritage Trees.' Citizens will be encouraged and appealed to lodge their protests by writing to dcfbbmp12@ the email account of the BBMP Forest Wing Chief, and to rldabangalore2022@ the official email account of the Railway Department,' said Nishanth. He further criticized the BBMP for even entertaining the proposal. 'The BBMP should have rejected the proposal outright instead of calling for objections, especially when it clearly states that the felling is for a commercial project,' he said. 'The authorities seem to have turned a blind eye and lost their common sense in proposing such a project and seeking public opinion on cutting trees. The city is already grappling with rising heat levels and a shrinking green cover. We will also approach Union Minister of State for Railways, V. Somanna, urging him to announce the scrapping of the project if it requires cutting trees. His actions and decisions will reveal how much concern he truly has for nature and Bengaluru,' Nishanth added.
India Today
28-04-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Karnataka BJP, Congress trade barbs after Railway entrance exam bans ‘janivara'
In wake of the fresh controversy regarding the Railway Department's Nursing Superintendent entrance examinations, where candidates were instructed through the admit cards to remove religious symbols like the mangalsutra (sacred marriage chain) and janivara (sacred thread) before entering the examination instructions — which also prohibit ornaments such as earrings, nose pins, rings, and bracelets — triggered political outrage, with state leaders from both the Congress and BJP weighing similar controversy occurred earlier this month during Karnataka's Common Entrance Test (CET), where Hindu students were reportedly asked to remove sacred threads. At the time, state leaders, including Congress's Ramalinga Reddy, had strongly opposed the move. 'I am the first one who opposed it when it happened in Karnataka,' said Minister Ramalinga Reddy.'I wrote to the Education Minister insisting that the central government modify the rules and regulations. Back then, the BJP accused the Siddaramaiah government of being anti-Hindu. Those who made the mistake were suspended. Now, when it happens under the central government's watch, why are these BJP leaders silent?'Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also criticised the Centre. 'If they want to check the mangalsutra and janivara for security reasons, let them check. But asking people to remove symbols of religious and cultural belief is not acceptable,' he said, speaking at his Sadashivanagar residence. 'BJP says one thing and does another. It is not correct that the Centre has disallowed these symbols in Railway examinations. They should revoke this ban. People should oppose such measures.'advertisementShivakumar added that while it is reasonable to inspect religious items for hidden electronic devices, a complete ban is unjustified. 'Ear studs, nose studs, mangalsutra, janivara, bindi and ududaara are all religious symbols. Checking is fine, banning is not,' he BJP leaders also spoke up on the matter. BJP leader and former minister V Somanna said the issue had been taken up with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and that clarity had been provided.'Today, I discussed this issue with the Honourable Union Minister for Railways and senior officials from the Railway Department. I am pleased to report that this confusion has now been resolved,' Somanna said in a statement. 'Clear instructions have been issued ensuring that candidates wearing items representing their culture, such as the janivara and mangalsutra, will not face any hindrance during the examination.'Somanna urged candidates to follow the examination rules while reassuring them there would be no restrictions on culturally significant BJP leader R Ashoka, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, confirmed, 'We have spoken with the minister. Now, only the Centre's restrictions apply, and if anything wrong is done, action will be taken.'BJP State President BY Vijayendra also said that after raising the matter with Union Minister Prahlad Joshi, it was clear there had been a miscommunication. 'He [Joshi] was not aware of such developments and has said such things should not happen,' Vijayendra InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Karnataka
News18
28-04-2025
- Politics
- News18
Karnataka: Controversy Over Ban On Mangalsutra, Sacred Thread In Railway Nursing Exam
Last Updated: Controversy erupted over the Railway Nursing Exam's ban on religious symbols like mangalsutra, leading Minister V. Somanna to instruct officials to allow them. A fresh controversy has emerged over the Railway Department's Nursing Superintendent entrance examination after admit cards issued to candidates included instructions to remove religious symbols, such as the mangalsutra (sacred marriage chain) and janivara (sacred thread), before entering the exam hall. Union Minister of State for Railways, V. Somanna, has since intervened, instructing officials not to prevent candidates from wearing these symbols during the examination. This information was shared by MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta. The exam is scheduled to be held on April 29 at the Bondel-based Manel Srinivas Nayak Besant Vidya Kendra in Mangaluru. Glad to inform that, as we brought it to his attention, our Union MoS Shri @VSOMANNA_BJP has intervened and instructed authorities not to indulge In any such practices that require those appearing for the examination for the post of Nursing Superintendent of Indian Railways to… — Captain Brijesh Chowta ಕ್ಯಾಪ್ಟನ್ ಬ್ರಿಜೇಶ್ ಚೌಟ (@CaptBrijesh) April 28, 2025 According to the admit card, candidates are prohibited from wearing any ornaments, including mangalsutra, earrings, nose pins, rings, bracelets, and janivara while appearing for the computer-based test. These instructions have sparked widespread debate, as they touch upon religious sensitivities and personal beliefs. The controversy is particularly sensitive as it comes closely on the heels of similar complaints from the Karnataka Common Entrance Test (CET) earlier this month. In that instance, Hindu students were allegedly asked to remove sacred threads, leading to widespread concerns about the treatment of religious symbols during public examinations. In a press release, VHP Prachara Prasara Pramukh Pradeep Saripalla also condemned the move, linking it to similar actions during the CET exam. 'The examination is scheduled to be held on April 29, at Manal Srinivas Nayak Besant Vidya Kendra, Bondel. The admission letter for the exam mentions that Hindu candidates must remove their religious symbols like the Mangalsutra and Janivara (sacred thread) before entering the exam hall to write the exam. Such an order is not appropriate. Recently, during the CET examination, forcibly removing the sacred thread of Hindu candidates hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus and caused widespread outrage across the state. Forcing married Hindu women to remove their Mangalsutra or Sindoor (vermilion), or asking Hindus to take off their sacred thread, deeply hurts the religious feelings of millions of Hindus. In a country where Hindus are the majority, it is intolerable to have such anti-Hindu actions," reads the release. The VHP has urged district authorities to take appropriate action to ensure that candidates can appear for the exam without compromising their religious beliefs. The guidelines, designed to maintain security and prevent malpractice, also prohibit mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, cameras, watches, belts, handbags, wallets, and electronic gadgets inside the exam hall. These restrictions align with standard procedures for competitive exams. According to the admit card, candidates must undergo Aadhaar-linked biometric verification, and any items that could conceal identity or facilitate cheating are strictly prohibited. The instructions further emphasise that biometric registration, frisking, and document verification will be rigorously enforced. First Published: April 28, 2025, 12:26 IST
India Today
28-04-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Railways' exam rule on mangalsutra, sacred thread stirs fresh row in Karnataka
A fresh controversy broke out over the Railway Department's Nursing Superintendent entrance examination, scheduled from April 28 to 30, after admit cards issued to candidates included instructions to remove religious symbols such as the mangalsutra (sacred marriage chain) and janivara (sacred thread) before entering the exam to the admit card for the examination, candidates are prohibited from wearing any ornaments, including mangalsutra, earrings, nose pins, rings, bracelets, and janivara while appearing for the computer-based controversy follows closely on allegations during Karnataka's Common Entrance Test (CET) earlier this month, where similar complaints were made about Hindu students being asked to remove sacred threads, intensifying concerns around the treatment of religious symbols during public examinations. The guidelines, aimed at ensuring security and preventing malpractice, also ban mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, cameras, watches, belts, handbags, wallets, and electronic gadgets inside the examination instruction regarding religious symbols has led to sharp reactions from Hindu organisations, who argue that it infringes upon religious freedoms. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has demanded an immediate withdrawal of the order on the admit card for the examination to be held at the Manail Srinivas Nayak Besant Vidya Kendra in Bondel, Mangaluru, saying: 'This action will hurt the religious sentiments of crores of Hindus. In a country where Hindus are the majority, it is impossible to tolerate such anti-Hindu policies.'advertisementA social media user, Sharan Kumar Pumpwell, also voiced his opposition. Along with images of the admit card on Facebook, Kumar criticised the move as 'an anti-religious stance.'He appealed to authorities, including the District Collector and local MPs, to intervene and ensure that Hindu candidates are allowed to write the exam without being forced to compromise on their religious practices, and tagged Captain Brijesh Chowta, Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha restrictions, meanwhile, seem to be in line with standard procedures for competitive exams. As printed on the admit card, as part of security measures, candidates are required to undergo Aadhaar-linked biometric verification, and any items that could conceal identity or facilitate unfair means are barred. The instructions also specify that biometric registration, frisking, and document verification will be strictly have been reminded that they must report well in advance to complete verification formalities, and those failing to comply with the guidelines risk disqualification from the examination Hindu groups insist that items like the janivara and mangalsutra are integral parts of personal faith and identity, and banning them during exams amounts to a violation of religious rights.
