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8 Oct 2009
Feasibility study on high-speed trains on
Feasibility study on high-speed trains onBy Team Mangalorean BangaloreBANGALORE, October 6, 2009:Praveen Kumar, member of the Railway Board, on Tuesday said that a feasibility study on introducing high-speed trains, with speeds of above 250 km per hour, is underway and it would be completed soon by experts from abroad.A report will be submitted in a few months. The study would also help Indian Railway to take up more projects and modernization, he said.Speaking to reporters at a seminar on 'Wheel-Design and Higher Wheel Life and Safety organised as part of Silver Jubilee of Rail Wheel Factory here, Mr Kumar said that feasibility for Bangalore-Hubli, Bombay-Ahmedabad and Delhi-Chandigarh trains was being considered and State governments had shown keen interest in incurring the expenses. The projects would be developed on PPP Model, he said.After the completion of the study, a project would be taken up on a pilot basis, he said.Introduction of High Speed Trains needed lot of infrastructural development, including a dedicated track and there should not be level crossing. It also required advanced signalling. Once it was approved and source of funds identified, the project would be introduced as pilot on any one of the most suitable sections. Minister of State for Railways K.H. Muniyappa said that there was a demand for export from the Rail Wheel Factory and there was a seven-per cent increase in production over the last one year. He said that the Wheel and Axle Plant at Yelahanka in Bangalore is doing yeoman service and has increased its production from 1,20,000 to 1,90,000 units and it would further be increased in the coming years. Recognising its service, the Railway Ministry has announced a special prize of Rs 10 lakh.He said to the extent possible, we should adopt the hub and spoke model wherein Railways connect important towns and the small towns are connected by roads. ''In other words, the Railway Junction becomes a hub and the arterial roads will connect the smaller towns and villages.''It would not only minimize pressure and wear and tear of roads but also saves precious foreign exchange. ''A large chunk of our foreign exchange goes towards importing fuel. This can be reduced if Railways are used to carry goods and passengers for long distance, and roads for travelling shorter distances to villages and small towns,'' he added.Mr Muniyappa said the doubling of Bangalore-Mysore line would be completed within next three years. Already the work has been completed upto Ramanagar from Bangalore and between Ramnagar and Mysore, it would take time since there are many bridges to be constructed.
1 Sept 2009
‘Stop grants to deemed varsities’
MANGALORE: Ritabrata Banerjee, national general secretary of the Students Federation of India (SFI), has alleged that deemed universities in the country are commercialising education.
Mr. Banerjee, who was here to take part in a camp for SFI members, told presspersons on Sunday that deemed universities had become business centres and did not cater for the educational needs of the poor. Chhattisgarh had become the hub of deemed universities, he said and added that the grants to these universities should be stopped, as recommended by the Yash Pal Committee.
He sought implementation of the committee’s recent report on improving higher education (the committee had recommended, among other things, abolition of the deemed university concept and conversion of a few deserving deemed universities into full-fledged ones).
Only nine per cent of Indians pursued higher education whereas the global average was 20 per cent. Even in Africa, the rate was 20 per cent he pointed out and demanded that the Centre earmark six per cent of budgetary allocations for education.
Mr. Banerjee charged the BJP with ‘saffronising’ education in the States ruled by it. History textbooks were being altered systematically in Karnataka, Jharkhand and Rajasthan, he said and sought a comprehensive legislation to regulate fee structure, admission process, and the curriculum. While more and more women from minority communities were taking to higher education of late, surreptitious efforts were on to keep them away from the mainstream. The SFI was against the ‘saffronisation’ of education, he said.
Mr. Banerjee opposed the Bill on Foreign Education Providers by stating that under this Bill, the Government was trying to open up the education market in the country to foreign universities. If the Bill were to be implemented, a situation might arise where foreign universities would convert India into an education market without Government control.
The SFI had succeeded in preventing the Government from passing this Bill in the past 10 years, he claimed. H.R. Naveen Kumar, president of the State unit of the SFI, alleged that the Karnataka Government was ‘saffronising” education by privatising the mid-day meal scheme. Thousands of poor women employed in preparing food were being rendered jobless, he said.
Mr. Banerjee, who was here to take part in a camp for SFI members, told presspersons on Sunday that deemed universities had become business centres and did not cater for the educational needs of the poor. Chhattisgarh had become the hub of deemed universities, he said and added that the grants to these universities should be stopped, as recommended by the Yash Pal Committee.
He sought implementation of the committee’s recent report on improving higher education (the committee had recommended, among other things, abolition of the deemed university concept and conversion of a few deserving deemed universities into full-fledged ones).
Only nine per cent of Indians pursued higher education whereas the global average was 20 per cent. Even in Africa, the rate was 20 per cent he pointed out and demanded that the Centre earmark six per cent of budgetary allocations for education.
Mr. Banerjee charged the BJP with ‘saffronising’ education in the States ruled by it. History textbooks were being altered systematically in Karnataka, Jharkhand and Rajasthan, he said and sought a comprehensive legislation to regulate fee structure, admission process, and the curriculum. While more and more women from minority communities were taking to higher education of late, surreptitious efforts were on to keep them away from the mainstream. The SFI was against the ‘saffronisation’ of education, he said.
Mr. Banerjee opposed the Bill on Foreign Education Providers by stating that under this Bill, the Government was trying to open up the education market in the country to foreign universities. If the Bill were to be implemented, a situation might arise where foreign universities would convert India into an education market without Government control.
The SFI had succeeded in preventing the Government from passing this Bill in the past 10 years, he claimed. H.R. Naveen Kumar, president of the State unit of the SFI, alleged that the Karnataka Government was ‘saffronising” education by privatising the mid-day meal scheme. Thousands of poor women employed in preparing food were being rendered jobless, he said.
Central team visits rain-hit areas in Udupi district
Udupi: A team of officials from the Union Government visited areas affected by heavy rain and sea erosion in Udupi district on Monday.
The team visited the completely damaged house of Jalaja Poojarti in the Puttur area here. Ms. Poojarti’s granddaughter Jyoti, a PUC student, told the team that the house was damaged by heavy rain on July 20. The family had received compensation of Rs. 25,000, she said.
The team members asked Deputy Commissioner P. Hemalatha if some relief could be provided under the Ashraya scheme.
Ms. Hemalatha said that she would have to check whether further relief could be provided under the urban Ashraya scheme.
The pathetic condition of Ms. Poojarti’s house was there for all to see. The walls of Ms. Poojarti’s house have collapsed. Many utensils and household items have been kept outside the house. Ms. Poojarti lives with her daughter Vasanti, granddaughter Jyoti, and grandson Gangadhar. An official said that the family of Ms. Poojarti was below the poverty line (BPL).
Earlier, Ms. Poojarti told presspersons that the authorities should pay her adequate compensation to get her house properly repaired. She and her family members were now living in a relative’s house. An emotional Ms. Poojarti broke down many times while explaining the condition of her house and family.
“My daughter Vasanti works as a labourer. Our financial condition is bad. There are no foodgrains in my house,” she said. The Central team, comprising Joint Secretary in the Home Ministry B. Bhamathi; Joint Director of Rural Development, New Delhi, P. Manoj Kumar; and Senior Research Officer in the Planning Commission R.K. Sharma; along with Superintending Engineer, Public Works Department, Bangalore, C.R. Gangadhar; and Ms. Hemalatha, visited Siddapur, Belve, Halady, Ulloor, Shankarnarayana, Kundapur, Aroor, Udupi-Puttur, Udyavar, Padukere, Bada,
The team visited the completely damaged house of Jalaja Poojarti in the Puttur area here. Ms. Poojarti’s granddaughter Jyoti, a PUC student, told the team that the house was damaged by heavy rain on July 20. The family had received compensation of Rs. 25,000, she said.
The team members asked Deputy Commissioner P. Hemalatha if some relief could be provided under the Ashraya scheme.
Ms. Hemalatha said that she would have to check whether further relief could be provided under the urban Ashraya scheme.
The pathetic condition of Ms. Poojarti’s house was there for all to see. The walls of Ms. Poojarti’s house have collapsed. Many utensils and household items have been kept outside the house. Ms. Poojarti lives with her daughter Vasanti, granddaughter Jyoti, and grandson Gangadhar. An official said that the family of Ms. Poojarti was below the poverty line (BPL).
Earlier, Ms. Poojarti told presspersons that the authorities should pay her adequate compensation to get her house properly repaired. She and her family members were now living in a relative’s house. An emotional Ms. Poojarti broke down many times while explaining the condition of her house and family.
“My daughter Vasanti works as a labourer. Our financial condition is bad. There are no foodgrains in my house,” she said. The Central team, comprising Joint Secretary in the Home Ministry B. Bhamathi; Joint Director of Rural Development, New Delhi, P. Manoj Kumar; and Senior Research Officer in the Planning Commission R.K. Sharma; along with Superintending Engineer, Public Works Department, Bangalore, C.R. Gangadhar; and Ms. Hemalatha, visited Siddapur, Belve, Halady, Ulloor, Shankarnarayana, Kundapur, Aroor, Udupi-Puttur, Udyavar, Padukere, Bada,
31 Aug 2009
Monsoon was active over Coastal Karnataka
Bangalore, Aug 31 : Following is a Summary of observations recorded by the weather office here at 0830 hrs today.
Monsoon was active over Coastal Karnataka.
Rainfall occurred at a few places over Interior Karnataka.
Heavy rainfall amounts (cm): Kota 11; Bajpe 8, Udupi 9; Ankola 7.
Other Chief rainfall amounts(cm): Panambur, Bantwal, Karkala, Kundapura 6 each; Mani 5; Belthangadi, Siddapur Bhatkal (both Uttar Kannada dt), Honavar, Karwar, Chincholli 4 each; Mulki, Puttur, Mangalore, Kumta, Sirsi, Alland, Sedam, Kammardi, Lakkavalli, Kottur 3 each; Dharmasthala, Yadgir, Talguppa 2 each; Sulya, Joida, Londa, Bidar, Chitapura, Manvi, Madikeri, Madapura, Bhagamandala, Agumbe Hosadurga, Sringeri, Mudigere, Sakaleshapura, Arasikere, C.N.Halli 1 each.
Forecast valid until Wednesday morning: Rain/thundershowers likely to occur at many places over the State.
Farmers Weather Bulletin: Light to moderate rain likely to occur at many places over all the districts of Coastal Karnataka, North Interior Karnataka and South Interior Karnataka.
Heavy rainfall warning : Heavy rain likely to occur at isolated places over the State during next 48 hours.
Outlook for subsequent two days : Increase in rainfall is expected over the State.
Local forecast: Generally cloudy. Rain/thundershowers likely.
Monsoon was active over Coastal Karnataka.
Rainfall occurred at a few places over Interior Karnataka.
Heavy rainfall amounts (cm): Kota 11; Bajpe 8, Udupi 9; Ankola 7.
Other Chief rainfall amounts(cm): Panambur, Bantwal, Karkala, Kundapura 6 each; Mani 5; Belthangadi, Siddapur Bhatkal (both Uttar Kannada dt), Honavar, Karwar, Chincholli 4 each; Mulki, Puttur, Mangalore, Kumta, Sirsi, Alland, Sedam, Kammardi, Lakkavalli, Kottur 3 each; Dharmasthala, Yadgir, Talguppa 2 each; Sulya, Joida, Londa, Bidar, Chitapura, Manvi, Madikeri, Madapura, Bhagamandala, Agumbe Hosadurga, Sringeri, Mudigere, Sakaleshapura, Arasikere, C.N.Halli 1 each.
Forecast valid until Wednesday morning: Rain/thundershowers likely to occur at many places over the State.
Farmers Weather Bulletin: Light to moderate rain likely to occur at many places over all the districts of Coastal Karnataka, North Interior Karnataka and South Interior Karnataka.
Heavy rainfall warning : Heavy rain likely to occur at isolated places over the State during next 48 hours.
Outlook for subsequent two days : Increase in rainfall is expected over the State.
Local forecast: Generally cloudy. Rain/thundershowers likely.
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