BUDGET 2017 : समस्याओं से निजात के लिए वित्त मंत्री को लिखा पत्र

नई दिल्ली | राष्ट्रीय राजधानी को समस्याओं से मुक्त कराने के लिए अब दिल्ली का प्रबुद्ध वर्ग आगे आया है। दिल्ली के हितों को ध्यान रखते हुए उन्होंने आरडब्ल्यूए भागीदारी के तहत 10 सूत्री मांग पत्र केंद्रीय वित्त मंत्री अरुण जेटली को भेजा है। 

इसमें उन्होंने बजट 2017 में दिल्ली की 10 प्रमुख समस्याओं के निदान के लिए विशेष पैकेज की मांग की है। इसके तहत दिल्ली को सबसे पहले प्रदूषण से मुक्ति दिलाने की मांग की है। इसके अलावा ट्रैफिक जाम से मुक्ति दिलाने, पुराने हो चुके सभी फ्लाई ओवर की जांच आदि मांगें शामिल हैं। 

ईस्ट दिल्ली आरडब्ल्यूए ज्वाइंट फ्रंट के अध्यक्ष बीएस वोहरा कहते हैं कि इस पत्र के जरिए दिल्ली की समस्याओं के प्रति केंद्र सरकार का ध्यान आकर्षित करने का प्रयास किया गया है। 

with thanks : Bhasker

Top expectations from Union Budget 2017 - Times of India

The countdown for Budget 2017 has begun and everyone has set their eyes on the Finance Minister - Arun Jaitley, with even more expectations this year. Industry experts have voiced their expectations from the annual financial plan and are now keenly waiting for NDA-led government's reboot of economic policy and direction amid an uncertain and politically charged environment.

Here are the pre-budget expectations of India Inc from Union Budget 2017:

1.

Encourage digital payments and proper infrastructure: Capital Float

In the process of creating a cash free economy, we expect the budget to incentivize digital payments and provide for ample enabling infrastructure; this will encourage SMEs to adopt digital finance channels and become a part of the formal financing ecosystem, Capital Float Managing Director Sashank Rishyasringa said.

Rishyasringa said: "More and more consumers are opting to swipe their plastic cards and use e-wallets to purchase goods and services. As SMEs become more proficient with electronic payment systems, this is an opportunity for fintech firms to bring these SMEs into the formal lending ecosystem. On the Tax front, the expectation from the budget is for the Government to reduce personal income tax and corporate tax rates by revising the tax slabs. By revisiting corporate tax slabs, there is less incentive for tax evasion, and this will push the economy towards digital money. Reducing the personal tax slabs, will drive consumer spending and hence the economy."

"Also, the implementation of GSTN can create digitization of invoicing across the country by enabling easy filing of returns and tax payments," Rishyasringa said.

2.

Simplification in tax administration to bring more people into the tax net: Mindtree

For corporate India and Indians to plan their medium and long term financial and investment priorities, we strongly recommend that the Finance Minister outlines a larger 3-5-year fiscal roadmap for the country, explaining the priorities seen by the government and reforms that are being evaluated, Mindtree CEO Rostow Ravanan said.

Ravanan said: "The biggest problem we face right now is that a country with our population size and GDP has very few tax payers. Consequently, the bulk of the compliance headaches fall on the salaried tax payer. We recommend simplification in tax administration to bring more people into the tax net and reduce the disproportionate burden on salaried tax payers. For the IT industry, the biggest expectation is that the GST implementation plans need to be revisited urgently."

The Mindtree CEO also said that some of the incentives given to an individual tax payer needs to be streamlined and updated for current realities, for example, the limit for medical expenses is set at Rs 15000 per annum which is very inadequate for a family of 4 in urban India.

3.

Increase in individual income tax slab limits: Angel Broking

The industry expects the Budget to allocate more funds to infrastructure and focus on capex revival and also slash personal income tax rates so that consumers may have more disposable income to boost auto demand.

Angel Broking said: "We believe that the government is likely to take corrective measures which would offer remedy to the demonetisation wounds. In our opinion, increase in individual income tax slab limits and reduction in corporate tax rate is expected to be the highlight of the budget in order to revive the consumption cycle. Also, higher allocation to infrastructure, housing and urban development will ease the stress level of corporate India's balance sheet."

The firm also wants government to hike capital infusion in public sector banks to improve their capital adequacy position.

4.

Private investment must be revived to boost economy: CRISIL

Government has been taking many steps to improve investment cycle, but it has turned to be an exercise in futility because share of capital in GDP continued to fall, CRISIL said in its pre-Budget report.

CRISIL said: "Private investment was expected to take another year to recover even before demonetisation. But the cash crunch following demonetisation curbed demand. That in turn, could delay revival in private investment. While demonetisation may not have impacted ongoing investment, fresh ones would have been kept in abeyance. That in turn, would further delay recovery in the private investment, so critical for sustained pick-up in investments."

Domestic consumption must be boosted by improving purchasing power, especially among the rural population and workers in the unorganised sector and smoothening of transaction process in cash-driven sectors, CRISIL suggested.

with thanks : TOI : LINK

BUDGET 2017 : Delhi Expects just ONE THING from the Finance Minister

Open letter to the Finance Minister, by the residents of Delhi.

Dear Sir,

We the residents of Delhi, want it to be free from all the AILMENTS and want it to be a ROLE MODEL for the entire country. We are expecting, just ONE THING from you i.e. a Special Package for Delhi, in the upcoming Budget, 2017, keeping in mind, the 10 issues being raised below :

1. Pollution in Delhi : 

इस कदर मुश्किल हुआ, जीना मेरे शहेर मे,

साँस के हर घूँट मे बस, जहर निगलना पड़ता है,

It has become the most polluted city of the world. The situation has reached the Alarming stage and if nothing   constructive is done, immediately, scores of lives will be lost, due to the issues related to pollution of Air, Water & Soil.

2. Traffic Jam in Delhi :

इस कदर मुश्किल हुआ, जीना मेरे शहेर मे,

वापिस घर कब लौटेंगे, कोई कह नहीं सकता है

It is on the verge of becoming the most congested city of the world. The Traffic jam is not only causing huge wastage of precious human hours, it is also adding to the Air & Noise pollution, causing serious damages to the inhabitants.

3. Dangerous Flyovers in Delhi :

इस कदर मुश्किल हुआ, जीना मेरे शहेर मे,

हादसों के ख़ौफ़ से, दिल को उबरना पड़ता है

Many Flyovers were constructed in the city by the earlier Govt., but seems, time and the heavy rush has started taking its toll, as two of the flyovers have developed snags over it. The issue must be seriously dealt with and all the Flyovers must be thoroughly checked to measure the strength on various parameters to avoid any mishap in the coming days.

4. Metro Rush in Delhi :

इस कदर मुश्किल हुआ, जीना मेरे शहेर मे,

भीड़ मे अब धक्का - मुक्की, कर गुज़रना पड़ता है

Though the Delhi Metro has become the Life Line of the city, it has become very difficult for the Ladies, Elderly & Children to even enter the train at peak hours. Now Delhi with the massive & continuously increasing population requires something more than a mere Metro.

5. Drainage system in Delhi :

इस कदर मुश्किल हुआ, जीना मेरे शहेर मे,

रिमझिम फुहारें आते ही, घर मे सिमटना पड़ता है

The drainage system has moved towards the worst. Every moderate to heavy rainfall in the city, chokes the drains and the city becomes a floating ship in the huge ocean, with knee deep water everywhere.

6. Health problems in Delhi :

इस कदर मुश्किल हुआ, जीना मेरे शहेर मे,

मुश्किलों के दौर मे, घर - बार बिकने लगता है

The Health facilities in Delhi are quite inadequate. Residents are being forced to pay hefty amounts to the private institutions for serious & critical issues as Govt organizations such as AIIMS, are unable to cope up with the rush. Many a times it has been observed that time given to a patient for a critical test is much more than the expected life of that patient.

7. Drinking water Scarcity in Delhi :

इस कदर मुश्किल हुआ, जीना मेरे शहेर मे,

पानी की हर बूँद पे, लड़ना - झगड़ना पड़ता है

Scarcity of Drinking water is also a serious cause of concern. The entire pipeline system of Delhi Jal Board has widespread leakages and it’s generally said that almost 30 to 40% of the potable water goes into the drains due to the leakages.

8. Women Security in Delhi : 

इस कदर मुश्किल हुआ, जीना मेरे शहेर मे,

घर से निकलना सोच कर, दिल धड़कने लगता है

Women Security is also a very serious cause of concern for every resident of the city. Ranga - Billa to Nirbhaya and even after, nothing seems to have changed. There are numerous instances of Rape, molestation and eve teasing in the newspapers every day.

9. Security of Elders in Delhi : 

इस कदर मुश्किल हुआ, जीना मेरे शहेर मे,

घर चलाने वाला इक दिन, बोझ लगने लगता है

The Overall security of the residents of the National capital requires immediate & a serious review as the children as well as elderly people face hardships on one pretext or other.

10. Sanitation Workers Strike in Delhi : 

इस कदर मुश्किल हुआ, जीना मेरे शहेर मे,

स्वच्छ भारत के चलते, कचरे मे रहना पड़ता है

Last, but not the least, the Kachra problem of Delhi is taking its toll. The residents have faced strike by the sanitation workers, at least 5 times in a short duration of two years. Life truly becomes very difficult, when the roads and streets are filled with stinky garbage, everywhere. Expecting another strike by Sanitation workers from the 7th Feb on wards.

Sir, 

These are some of the very important issues that need your immediate attention, and, to overcome all these problems, the residents of Delhi expect just one thing from the Finance Minister i.e. a SPECIAL PACKAGE for the city, in the upcoming Budget of 2017, as we the residents, want a NEAT, CLEAN and SAFE DELHI, under the able leadership of our Prime Minister.   

Residents of Delhi are looking towards you with a Great hope with a Salute for your Great Efforts during Demonetisation.

With best regards,

B S Vohra

Social Activist

President

East Delhi RWAs Joint Front - Federation
Delhi Maange more..... in the Budget 2017.

Happy Republic Day. Salute Indian Armed Forces.

Delimitaion of mcd ward

RESPECTED VOHRA JI 

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR RAISING THE ISSUE OF DELIMITATION. DUE TO DELIMITATION THERE WILL BE MORE WARDS FOR UNAUTHORISED COLONY AND MORE FUNDS WILL BE ALLOCATED FOR THEM.COOPERATIVE GROUP HOUSING ARE SUFFERER NOW AS NO MLA MP COUNCILOR FUND IS USED INSIDE THE COOPERATIVE SOCIETY. ONLY THING IS DONE  IS CLEANING OF ROADS OUTSIDE SEWERAGE AND MAINTENANCE OF STREET LIGHT. EVERY THING WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN OURSELVES EVERY HOUSEHOLD SPENDS 35 TO 40 THOUSANDS PER YEAR FOR MAINTENANCE OF INSIDE SERVICE IT IS NOT UNDERSTOOD FOR WHAT PURPOSE THEY CHARGE HOUSETAX FROM US. THEY SIMPLY GIVES US 15% REBATE IN HOUSE TAX AND IN RETURN  WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN

1 PARK INSIDE

2 DJB LINE INSIDE

3SEWERLINES INSIDE

4. ROADS INSIDE

5 STREET LIGHT

6. CLEANNESS INSIDE

7  OTHER MIS WORK

ON THE OTHERHAND FOR HOUSEBUILDING COOPERATIVE SOCIETY AND UNAUTHORISED COLONY EVERYTHING IS PROVIDED BY GOVT.

WHY THIS DISCRIMINATION WHEN EVER WE HAVE RAISED DEMAND THE GOVT REPLY IS YOURS IS PRIVATE LAND WE CAN NOT DO ANYTHING  UNDER WHICH RULES THEY CAN NOT MAINTAIN THE SERVICES INSIDE THE COOPERATIVE GROUP HOUSING SOCIETY IS NOT KNOWN TILL DATE.ANOTHER MAJOR PROBLEM OF MANY COOPERATIVE GROUP HOUSING SOCIETY IS THAT DUE TO IGNORANCE OF RULES THEY HAVE CONDUCTED SELF DRAW IN 1990. THE REGISTRAR COOPERATIVE SOCIETY HAS NOT REGULARISED THE DRAW TILL DATE ON THE OTHER HAND SELF DRAW OF DWARKA SOCIETY CONDUCTED IN 2006 HAS BEEN REGULARISED IN THE CASE OF NAVRACHNA COOPERATIVE GROUP SOCIETY THEY ARE REPEATDLY REPLYING THAT POLICY IS UNDER SUBMISSION BUT IN THE LAST 26YEARS THEY HAVE NOT SUBMITTED THE POLICY TO DELHI GOVT AS WE DONOT HAVE SUPPORT OF MEDIA OR POLITICAL LEADERS.THERE ARE 98 MEMBERS OUT OF WHICH ONLY 44 MEMBERS HAVE BEEN CLEARED IN 26 YEARS NO REASON HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR NOT CLEARING THE LIST OF OTHERMEMBERS RESULTING IN AFTER 26 YEARS OF ALLOTMENT WE CAN NOT GET OUR FLAT FREEHOLD. IF GOVT REGULARISED THEY CAN EARN HUGE MONEY AS FREE HOLD CHARGE BUT GOVT IS SILENT DUE TO LACK OF POLITICAL SUPPORT & MEDIA SUPPORT TO OUR CAUSE 

WITH REGARDS 

CHANDER MOHAN 

NAVRACHNA APPARTMENT 

EAST ARJUN NAGAR 

DELHI 110032

Delimitation issues raised on Delhi Aajtak : B S Vohra

B S Vohra - Dainik Jagran

Connected RFID Enabled Boom Barrier | PerscopeLab

Dear Sir / Madam,

Greetings from PeriscopeLab,

This mail is regarding our meeting held at your home.  I would like to take this opportunity of briefly introducing “PERISCOPE LAB” which is a well-established organization. Our solutions capabilities include systems design, RFID hardware (readers, tags and antennas), database web hosting, integration with third-party systems, and installation and maintenance services.

We have a long track record of successful deployments in the RFID/GPS industry in environments ranging from Residential societies, parking lots, distribution centers, shopping carts and pickup trucks. Our solutions includes:

1.    Access control systems

2.    App based automated Boom Barriers Systems.

3.    Inventory Management

4.    Parking Management

5.    Pickup Trucks

6.    Garbage Control

7.    Personnel Management with RFID

8.    Event Management with RFID

9.    RFID in Healthcare

The name and business strength that has been earned by our organization today, is due to the professionally equipped and able staff, who have a varied experience of the market and good knowledge of serving the customers to their satisfaction. This is further enhanced by the innovative ideas of the management, who strive from time to time in creating awareness and keeping the company at par to the latest development of today's world.

As discussed I am sending you the presentation of “Connected RFID Enabled Boom Barrier” solution.  I believe that combination of our solution, experience, and knowledge and the motive of your organization is the same which is bound to safeguard the society from unwanted threats of bad elements.

 Need any clarification or quarry please feel free to talk.

Thanks & Regards,

Gurkirat Singh,

Managing Director

If RWAs are interested, they may feel free to mail us for more details & it will be forwarded to Mr Gurkirat singh. Thanks. 

मेरी दिल्ली मेरी शान, मेरी दिल्ली मेरी पहचान

बीस साल पहले भी दिल्ली की सड़कों पर पानी भरता था, आज भी दिल्ली की सड़कों पर पानी भरता है. बीस साल पहले भी दिल्ली की सड़कों पर खड्डे होते थे, आज भी दिल्ली की सड़कों पर खड्डे होते हैं. बीस साल पहले भी दिल्ली मे गर्मियों मे पानी की किल्लत होती थी, आज भी दिल्ली मे गर्मियों मे पानी की किल्लत होती है. बीस साल पहले भी दिल्ली सबसे ज़्यादा पोल्यूटेड थी, आज भी दिल्ली सबसे ज़्यादा पोल्यूटेड हैं. बीस साल पहले भी हम ट्रॅफिक जाम मे फस्ते थे, आज भी हम ट्रॅफिक जाम मे फस्ते है. और सबसे ज़रूरी बात, बीस साल पहले भी हमारी दिल्ली महिलाओं के लिए सुरक्षित नही थी, आज भी हमारी दिल्ली महिलाओं के लिए सुरक्षित नही है. 

हालाँकि, इन बीस सालों मे, कई सरकारें बदल गई, कई नेता बदल गए, कई राजनीतिक दल बदल गए, लेकिन जो कुछ बदलना चाहिए था, वो सब कुछ नही बदला. हाँ, एक बदलाव ज़रूर हुआ कि पहले सफाई करमचारिओं की हड़ताल इस तरह नही होती थी, जिस तरह अब होती है. पहले दिल्ली इस तरह कूड़ा घर नही बनती थी, जिस तरह अब एक बड़े कूड़ा घर मे तब्दील हो जाती है. आज भी हमे सड़कों पर एंकरोचमेंट से छुटकारा नही मिला. आज भी दिल्ली की सड़कों पर रैश ड्राइविंग होती है. आज भी रोड रेज़ के किससे सुनने मे आते हैं. आज भी सरकारें, सिर्फ़ टॅक्स वसूली मे विश्वास रखती हैं, और आज भी दिल्ली की आम जनता, बेसिक साहूलतों के लिए तरसती है.

हम यह भी नही भूल सकते कि इन बीस सालों मे दिल्ली मे मेट्रो चल पड़ी, कई नए फ्लाइ ओवर भी बने, कुछ सड़कों को चौड़ा भी किया गया, और अगर यह सब कुछ ना होता तो शायद दिल्ली एक गटर बन चुकी होती. लेकिन सवाल यह है, कि अगर पिछली सरकारों ने कुछ किया तो यह कोई अहसान नही था, यह तो उनकी ड्यूटी थी, फ़र्ज़ था उनका, लेकिन क्या आपको नही लगता, कि जो कुछ भी हुआ, उससे कहीं ज़्यादा होने की दरकार थी ? आख़िर कब तक हम ट्रॅफिक जाम, जल भराव, एंकरोचमेंट, पोल्यूशन को झेलते रहेंगे ? आख़िर कब हमारी महिलाएँ, बच्चे और बुजुर्ग अपने को सुरक्षित मान सकेंगे ? आख़िर कब हमारे नेता इस दलगत राजनीति से उपर उठकर, दिल्ली के लिए, दिल से काम करेगे ?

बी एस वोहरा

सोशल एक्टिविस्ट,
मेरी दिल्ली मेरी शान, मेरी दिल्ली मेरी पहचान..... 

Mail from Suresh Prabhu !

Dear Mr. Vohra ji,

Your mail for the New Year Greetings from Shri Suresh Prabha, Hon'ble Minister for Railways, which is an excellent sum-up admitting the drawbacks, hinting little action by previous Ministers (indirectly) to improve the health of the Railways, administratively and financially, who all had exploited the system to the fullest extent to feed their respective constituencies, his plan of action and innovations being attempted in various spheres etc. which are all admirable and must be appreciated. It is perhaps for the first time an Union Minister extend greetings to the public at large and seeking their valuable suggestions for effecting improvements in the age-old system! However, it is apprehended that the merger of rail budget which had always been presented separately for decades has now been merged with the General Budget to be presented by the Hon'ble Finance Minister in the forthcoming Budget session! We wonder if this merger will be good for the Railways or like other Ministries the Railway Ministry will also be looking forward to the alms of the Finance Ministry, thereby losing their independence to achieve their objectives! Let's look forward positively expecting good tidings to come out!

Thank you once again for sharing this mail with others to enlighten them on the working of the Railways!

With best regards,

TK Balu/Anand Vihar

New Year Greetings from Suresh Prabhu

Dear Friend,

It gives me immense pleasure to write to you at the onset of another new year. I wish the coming year brings happiness and prosperity in your life.

It is the able leadership of our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji which is inspiring us to strive for revamping the Indian Railways.He has said that "This is a technology driven century. Innovation is important. Railways has to be about both 'Gati' and 'Pragati'. It is this mantra that guides us on this journey of transformation.

Last year saw many milestones being set in Indian Railways and many new initiatives being taken. We believe not only in making promises,but also keeping them.We fulfilled many of the announcements made in the Railway Budget last year and we are committed to achieve the remaining ones.

Improving travel experience for our fellow citizens is at the core of our work and philosophy. Enhancing safety, improving speed, creating new passenger amenities, augmenting infrastructure, introducing of new train products all have been means to achieve this end.

Recent train accidents have anguished and pained me beyond words. We had started on this mission to make Indian Railways safe 2 years ago, when I joined office. Systemic issues accumulated over years take time to be resolved. Chronic underinvestment in infrastructure has affected the safety of Rail network. Much has been done but there is still so much more to do to make Indian Railways a safer mode of transport. We are determined to address the issues and come up with solutions. In the last 2 years, we have taken following measures to enhance safety:

• Capital expenditure on safety related activities increased from Rs.39,200 Cr in 2013-14 to Rs. 46,048 Cr in 2015-16. We will be further increasing it to Rs.53,727 Cr in 2016-17.

• Pace of track renewal has been increased substantially to over 2000 km every year.

• Working on a mission to eliminate all unmanned level crossings by 2019.

• All coaches to be retrofitted and improved with anti climbing and anti telescopic features over the next 4-5 years.

• Entered into partnerships with several best-in-class global research bodies like Railway Technical Research Institute, Japan and Korean Rail Research Institute.

• Introduction of Ultrasonic Broken Rail Detection System to detect rail fractures on a real time basis.

• Train collision avoidance system is being introduced along high density routes.

Some of the highlights of our work, among many others have been:

• Introduction of country's first Humsafar Express between Gorakhpur and Anand Vihar in New Delhi. It is a fully air conditioned train with host of features like GPS enabled announcement system, pleasing interiors and exteriors,CCTV system,pantry with coffee making machine and microwave oven etc. An effort to provide luxury service at affordable price point.

• We had revamped the general coaches into special `Deendayalu' Coaches with amenities like pure drinking water, better ergonomically designed seats for our general class passengers.

• In the next 2 months, we would be ready with Tejas Trains which would redefine passenger travel experience in India.

• We organised one of the world's largest brainstorming exercise involving all Railway employees, Rail Vikas Shivir which was graced by Honourable Prime Minister.A dedicated transformation office is being set up in the Ministry to implement innovative ideas coming out of this exercise.

• We commissioned high speed Wi-Fi in over 100 stations across country and we would cover 200 more stations in the next year.

• We signed a MoU with Ministry of Urban Development to create "Smart Stations" in planned Smart Cities.

• On the freight side,we launched a spate of reforms including reduction in charges,liberalised key policies such as Siding and Parcel.

• Indian Railways bagged a total of 27 National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA) this year, given annually by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under aegis of Ministry of Power, Government of India. This is highest ever tally by Railways.

• Partnered with Self Help Groups to provide local cuisines on trains, and thus facilitating employment creation,women empowerment and digital financial inclusion.

• A capital expenditure of Rs. 94,000 Cr in 2015-16 against 2009-14 annual average of Rs.46,000 Cr.

• 2828 kms of broad gauge lines commissioned in 2015-16 against 2009-14 annual average of 1528 kms.

• 1730 kms of electrification completed in 2015-16 against 2009-14 annual average of 1184 kms.

• Declaration of India's first "Green Rail Corridor" of Rameswaram-Manamadurai section which is 100% human waste discharge free.

• Installed 15000+ Bio Toilets in 2015-16.

• Clean my Coach service started to enhance on board cleanliness.

• E-catering, E-bedroll and E-wheelchair services introduced to provide seamless access to these services.

• Introduced one of the world's cheapest travel insurance for our passengers at only 92 paise for insurance of up to Rs. 10 Lakh. It has now been made free of cost.

• Reserved accommodation capacity increased to 44.7 Cr berths from 37.1 Cr.

• Implemented one of the world's largest complaint resolution system through social media,dedicated helpline numbers.

• 100% E-procurement of goods implemented to ensure transparency.

• Largest ever online recruitment exam conducted with over 94 lakh applications.

• 1000+ Water Vending Machines providing RO water installed at stations across country.

• A total of 340+ stations have been provided with CCTV surveillance to ensure safety.

• Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP)- Phase III approved by the Cabinet with an estimated cost of Rs 11,000 Cr.

• A total of 365 new trains have been introduced in 2014-15 and 2015-16.

• Trials of Talgo trains capable of running at 200 kmph successfully completed.-

• Collaboration between India and Japan on Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed Rail project.

• Indian Railways has been at the forefront when it comes to promoting sports in the country.Sakshi Malik, who created history by becoming the first women wrestler from India to bag an Olympic Medal is a member of our Railways family. A total of 35 sports persons who represented India in the Rio Olympics were Indian Railways employee, thus comprising almost a third of Indian contingent.

• Three of our employees contributed in India's win in the Hockey Junior World Cup.

• Key result areas defined for ensuring accountability, objective performance appraisal.

All these milestones have been set under challenging circumstances.Years of underinvestment have led to overstretched infrastructure, inadequate carrying capacity and huge unmet passenger demand. Non rationalised passenger fares and cross subsidisation by freight revenue led to strain on financial health.

We believe, Indian Railways belongs to you and when we involve you in creating a vision for Indian Railways, excellent results could be achieved. With this in mind, we launched Railways Innovation Challenge inviting suggestions to improve various aspects of our working. We also launched a website to invite inputs for preparation of National Rail Plan 2030.

A lot has been done and a lot is yet to be achieved. It is our Honourable Prime Minister's firm belief that Railways can be the driver of country's economic growth. With this in mind, we step into the new year with renewed enthusiasm to achieve more, set new milestones.We are working on many focus areas which will propel Indian Railways further on the growth trajectory and benchmark it with the best in the world.

Some of the endeavours among many others we are working on are:-

• Redevelopment of railway stations into world class modern terminals with modern passenger amenities. The construction of first such terminal being planned at Habibganj, Bhopal would get underway in next few weeks.




• A five year investment plan of Rs. 8.56 Lakh Cr for giving a major push to infrastructure augmentation and thus create capacity for future.




• Enabling cashless transactions across Indian Railways at all interfaces.




• Working on a multi pronged strategy for running of high speed trains (with a speed of 300 kmph+), semi high speed trains (with a speed of 160 kmph+ - 200kmph), running of existing trains with increased speeds and introduction of faster trains.




• A big push on enhancing non fare revenue through advertisings, leasing out of spaces etc.In a first,a Non Fare Revenue Directorate has been set up in Railway Board for this purpose.




• More structural reforms and creation of new organizations to keep pace with the changing requirements. Railway Planning and Investment Organisation to prepare National Rail Plan 2030 and SRESTHA, a R&D organization to name a few.




• Plan to connect all capital cities of North Eastern states to be connected with broad gauge line by 2020 and stimulating economic development of the region.




• Two Dedicated Freight Corridors to be commissioned by 2019 which will decongest existing traffic and pave way for better passenger and freight service.




• Making Indian Railways 100% human waste discharge free through use of Bio-Toilets.




• Plan to generate 1000 MW solar power in next 5 years, thus becoming one of the country's largest solar power producer.




• Undertaking Accounting Reforms to create a transparent accounting system which will enhance profitability and improve overall efficiency.




• Implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning(ERP) to streamline operations, infuse technology, enhance efficiency.




• Establishment of Rail University as a holistic knowledge centre for Railways.




• LED luminaries at all stations.

All these visions could not be turned into reality without the support of our fellow citizens. Thus, we seek your support in taking Indian Railways to the next level and benchmark it with the best in the world.

I wish you and your family again, a very Happy New Year.

Yours,

Suresh Prabhu

Live on CNN IBN on the Kachra problem of East Delhi

Meeting with EDMC Standing Committee Chairman on this Kachra problem of East Delhi

Public concerns !

Dear Mr. Vohra ji,

I am immensely happy to know that you are relentlessly and consistently pursuing matter of concern to public. Photo-up alone will not pay dividend and satisfy the people to redress their grievances. While I had been clamouring and repeatedly requesting you to take up important issues agitating the minds of the people at large, it appears that you had not taken any steps in this direction. Pardon me to say so! Reality speaks. Don't feel hurt. 

The real truth is not known as to why the safai karamcharis had not been paid salary for the last 3 months. The present situation had cropped up earlier too, a few months back. Why a permanent solution to this vexed problem could not be found and solved forever. Who suffer - the public at large as well as the families of the safaiwallas! Can you imagine the downtrodden  and poor people can survive without salary not for one month but for three months - a long time in the life of these poor people! Why not a 'white paper'  is not brought about and published in the newspapers for all to see and realize the plight! If there is no money in the kitty of the EDMC to meet this basic commitment, let them ask for alms from the public to safe these poor people! Why the Councillors of the EDMC go without their perks, constituency allowance and salary etc. for a couple of months. Why can't they defer their works in the colonies for a couple of months till the financial position improves! You would be really surprised to know that a lot of unnecessary works are going on in colonies to spend their money before the election and get votes, while this could be saved to meet the needs of the safaiwallas, voluntarily! You go round the various colonies, you could yourself realise what an amount of wasteful work is going on without which the people could survive and lead a peaceful life. It may hurt the people concerned but let them search their heart and realise if it is necessary at all at this juncture without which their lives cannot go on! II don't wish to dilate on this topic further but I have only given a hint which you could see for yourselves if you go round the colony. I am deeply constrained and strongly pained to ink these but my heart burns when such works are going on in front of your eyes!!!Rest remains with you.

I may share with you a few more things but I wish to remain silent for the time being as opening up these will hurt someone but no solution could be found in the present environment!

With best regards,

TK Balu.