Thiruvananthapuram: As part of its programme to upgrade facilities for rail users, Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu said here today that 200 more stations and some additional trains would be providedwith Wi-Fi in 2017.

Dedicating six Wi-Fi facilities to rail users at Kannur, Ernakulam and Kollam at a function here, he said 100 stations had been fitted with Wi-Fi this year and the target was to double this number in 2017.

“More trains will also would be provided with Wi-Fi next year,” he said.

“The objective is to have Wi-Fi facility in all railway stations in small cities and towns,” he said.

The Minister said steps were also on to construct escalators in stations, he said.

Welcoming the Kerala government’s decision to sign a Joint Venture with Railways for development projects in the state, he said that as partners, the railways would be developed in the state.

“The Centre and state will have equity in the venture and funds for the projects will be raised through market borrowings with the consent of the state government,” he said.

The resources spent under the JV would be in addition to funds earmarked in the Railway budget, he added.

Stating that investment in railway infrastructure can bring development to its optimum level in Kerala, Prabhu said he had asked some banks to prepare a business plan for the state.

Prabhu admitted that there was a lack of railway investment in Kerala and saidthe NDA government’s move was to reverse that trend.

Referring to remittances to the state from Non-Resident Keralites, he said even they could invest in railway projects.

“They can develop a railway station”, he said, adding that the key objective was to join hands for development.

The Railways was also looking out for resources other than its normal revenue.

They were also looking into the possibility of coverting its hospitals as medical college hospitals, he said.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and G Sudhakaran, PWD Minister and in charge of Railways were among those present.

PTI

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7th Pay Commission – NFIR Ultimatum to Jaitely – If grievance not met – Trains will be off the track from 11 July
7th Pay Commission – NFIR Ultimatum to Jaitely – Railways minister Suresh Prabhu has requested Union finance minister Arun Jaitley for a financial assistance of about Rs 32,000 crore to absorb impact of 7th Pay Commission recommendations.

Railways minister Suresh Prabhu has requested Union finance minister Arun Jaitley for a financial assistance of about Rs 32,000 crore to absorb impact of 7th Pay Commission recommendations.

“I would therefore earnestly request you to help the ministry of Railways and hand-hold it for implementation of 7th CPC recommendations,” Prabhu said in a letter addressed recently to Jaitley. “This may be done either through compensation of loss for coaching services (Rs 31,727 crore in 2013-14) or directly by virtue of a revenue grant matching the amount of the 7th CPC’s liability placed upon the Railways for the next three to four years.”

Western railways employees union General Secretary Mr. Mahurkar said in a press conference in Nagad, if the recommendations of the railway minister Mr. Prabhu are not met or not accepted, the rails will come to a crashing halt on July 11.

He added that about 1.5 lakhs of RPF jobs are vacant.

He further reiterated, the security forces of railways work 24 hours, they should be paid accordingly, based on their commitment, which is not happening, he said.

Railway Minister Mr. Prabhu has conveyed the grievances of railway staff to the finance minister Mr. Jitley, however it looks like he is in no mood to listen the plight of the railway staffs. so the employees are forced to take further devastative action, he added.

In the 6th CPC the increase in the wages was 54% but the 7th pay commission has recommended only 14.3% increase. Its a crime against employees, he added.

Mahurkar also objected to the implementation of new pension scheme for the employees from April 1 2014.

He added, on 9th June we will issue a notice for strike, if our demands are not met, from 11th July the railway employees will go on indefinite strike.

Source: Dainik Bhaskar

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