<p>According to reports, the central government carried out a cabinet reshuffle on Monday wherein Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was allotted the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. Rathore will continue to retain the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Piyush Goyal given additional charge of Finance Ministry till Arun Jaitley recovers, Rajyavardhan Rathore new Information & Broadcasting Minister. <a href="https://t.co/Rv1HH7cJiN">pic.twitter.com/Rv1HH7cJiN</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996056907235262465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Smriti Irani will retain the Textiles Ministry.</p>

<p>Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal will look after the Finance Ministry until Arun Jaitley's recovers.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>"During the period of the indisposition of Shri Arun Jaitley, Minister; the portfolios of Minister of Finance and Minister of Corporate Affairs held by him, be temporarily assigned to Shri Piyush Goyal, in addition to his existing portfolios," read the official release.</p>

<p>SS Ahluwalia will be relieved of the charge of Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation. He has now been assigned the Ministry of State, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">SS Ahluwalia assigned the portfolio of MoS in Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, relieved of his charges of MoS in Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation. Alphons Kannanthanam relieved of charge of MoS in Ministry of Electrionics and Information Technology. <a href="https://t.co/PqI5ovpemw">pic.twitter.com/PqI5ovpemw</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996058511002910720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Minister of State, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, KJ Alphons, will now look after the Tourism Ministry.</p>

<p>Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday underwent a successful kidney transplant at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), an official at the premier health institute said.</p>

<p>Jaitley, 65, was admitted to the hospital on Saturday and taken to the operation theatre at 8 am today.</p>

<p>The minister, suffering from a kidney ailment, has been undergoing dialysis for the last one month.</p>


Smriti Irani will retain Textiles Ministry. Piyush Goyal will temporarily look after the Finance Ministry until Arun Jaitley's recovers

According to reports, the central government carried out a cabinet reshuffle on Monday wherein Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was allotted the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. Rathore will continue to retain the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Piyush Goyal given additional charge of Finance Ministry till Arun Jaitley recovers, Rajyavardhan Rathore new Information & Broadcasting Minister. pic.twitter.com/Rv1HH7cJiN — ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018 × Smriti Irani will retain the Textiles Ministry. Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal will look after the Finance Ministry until Arun Jaitley's recovers. "During the period of the indisposition of Shri Arun Jaitley, Minister; the portfolios of Minister of Finance and Minister of Corporate Affairs held by him, be temporarily assigned to Shri Piyush Goyal, in addition to his existing portfolios," read the official release. SS Ahluwalia will be relieved of the charge of Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation. He has now been assigned the Ministry of State, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology. SS Ahluwalia assigned the portfolio of MoS in Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, relieved of his charges of MoS in Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation. Alphons Kannanthanam relieved of charge of MoS in Ministry of Electrionics and Information Technology. pic.twitter.com/PqI5ovpemw — ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018 × Minister of State, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, KJ Alphons, will now look after the Tourism Ministry. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday underwent a successful kidney transplant at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), an official at the premier health institute said. Jaitley, 65, was admitted to the hospital on Saturday and taken to the operation theatre at 8 am today. The minister, suffering from a kidney ailment, has been undergoing dialysis for the last one month.

Smriti Irani out, Rajyavardhan Rathore gets I&B ministry in cabinet reshuffle

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed regret over Kushinagar accident where at least 13 children were killed. "I am extremely saddened on hearing about the death of school students in a collision between a school van and a train in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar. UP government and the railway department will take appropriate action," PM Modi stated while addressing BJP candidates for the upcoming Karnataka assembly poll this morning.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to reports, 13 children were killed and eight others were reported injured when a train rammed into a school vehicle at an unmanned railway crossing. The incident took place at Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar area, around 50 kilometres from Gorakhpur.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The train was bound for Siwan from Gorakhpur. The school van is reported to have been carrying at least 25 people.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced Rs 2 lakh as ex-gratia for the families of the victims. CM Adityanath has also directed the Gorakhpur commissioner to conduct an inquiry into the accident.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">कुशीनगर जिले में हुए दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण ट्रेन दुर्घटना में स्कूली बच्चों की मृत्यु पर गहरा दुःख पंहुचा। ईश्वर से दिवंगत आत्मा की शांति एवं परिजनों को संबल देने की प्रार्थना करता हूँ। दुर्घटना से प्रभावित लोगों के समुचित इलाज की व्यवस्था कराने व हर सम्भव मदद करने के निर्देश दिए हैं।</p>
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) <a href="https://twitter.com/myogiadityanath/status/989338134990106625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Meanwhile, Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the kin of the victim.</p>

<p>"I received the unfortunate news of the death of school children. I have asked senior officials to conduct a probe into the incident. Railways will give a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of the dead over and above the aid announced by the Uttar Pradesh government," Goyal tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">कुशीनगर में हुए हादसे में स्कूली बच्चों की मृत्यु का दुःखद समाचार मिला, मैंने सीनियर अधिकारियों द्वारा हादसे की इन्क्वायरी के निर्देश दिए हैं, मृतको के परिवार जनों को रेलवे की ओर से दो लाख रुपये की सहायता दी जायेगी जो उप्र सरकार द्वारा दी जा रही दो लाख की राशि के अतिरिक्त होगी।</p>
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/PiyushGoyal/status/989350565455872000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh expressed sadness over Kushinagar accident.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">उत्तर प्रदेश के कुशीनगर जिले में हुई दुर्घटना में कई बच्चों की मृत्यु के समाचार से मुझे गहरा दुःख पहुँचा है. मैं मृतक बच्चों के परिवारों को अपनी शोक संवेदना प्रेषित करता हूँ. हादसे की जाँच के आदेश रेल मंत्रालय द्वारा दे दिए गए हैं.</p>
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/989359067264094208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>"The death of several children in the accident in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar district has caused me to grieve deeply. I convey my grieving condolences to the families of the deceased children. Orders for investigation of the incident have been given by the Ministry of Railways," read his tweet.&nbsp;</p>


Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced Rs 2 lakh as ex-gratia for the families of the victims

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed regret over Kushinagar accident where at least 13 children were killed. "I am extremely saddened on hearing about the death of school students in a collision between a school van and a train in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar. UP government and the railway department will take appropriate action," PM Modi stated while addressing BJP candidates for the upcoming Karnataka assembly poll this morning. According to reports, 13 children were killed and eight others were reported injured when a train rammed into a school vehicle at an unmanned railway crossing. The incident took place at Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar area, around 50 kilometres from Gorakhpur. The train was bound for Siwan from Gorakhpur. The school van is reported to have been carrying at least 25 people. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced Rs 2 lakh as ex-gratia for the families of the victims. CM Adityanath has also directed the Gorakhpur commissioner to conduct an inquiry into the accident. कुशीनगर जिले में हुए दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण ट्रेन दुर्घटना में स्कूली बच्चों की मृत्यु पर गहरा दुःख पंहुचा। ईश्वर से दिवंगत आत्मा की शांति एवं परिजनों को संबल देने की प्रार्थना करता हूँ। दुर्घटना से प्रभावित लोगों के समुचित इलाज की व्यवस्था कराने व हर सम्भव मदद करने के निर्देश दिए हैं। — Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) April 26, 2018 × Meanwhile, Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the kin of the victim. "I received the unfortunate news of the death of school children. I have asked senior officials to conduct a probe into the incident. Railways will give a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of the dead over and above the aid announced by the Uttar Pradesh government," Goyal tweeted. कुशीनगर में हुए हादसे में स्कूली बच्चों की मृत्यु का दुःखद समाचार मिला, मैंने सीनियर अधिकारियों द्वारा हादसे की इन्क्वायरी के निर्देश दिए हैं, मृतको के परिवार जनों को रेलवे की ओर से दो लाख रुपये की सहायता दी जायेगी जो उप्र सरकार द्वारा दी जा रही दो लाख की राशि के अतिरिक्त होगी। — Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) April 26, 2018 × Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh expressed sadness over Kushinagar accident. उत्तर प्रदेश के कुशीनगर जिले में हुई दुर्घटना में कई बच्चों की मृत्यु के समाचार से मुझे गहरा दुःख पहुँचा है. मैं मृतक बच्चों के परिवारों को अपनी शोक संवेदना प्रेषित करता हूँ. हादसे की जाँच के आदेश रेल मंत्रालय द्वारा दे दिए गए हैं. — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 26, 2018 × "The death of several children in the accident in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar district has caused me to grieve deeply. I convey my grieving condolences to the families of the deceased children. Orders for investigation of the incident have been given by the Ministry of Railways," read his tweet.

Kushinagar accident: PM Modi 'extremely saddened', Rajnath Singh, Yogi Adityanath offer condolences

<p>As PM Narendra began his fast on Thursday, Union minister Piyush Goyal began&nbsp;observing a fast in Thane, Maharashtra along with other party leaders as a protest against the Parliament "washout"&nbsp;during the Budget session.</p>

<p>In Delhi, several BJP leaders observed fast in the Townhall.</p>

<p>''The way in which Congress & other opposition parties did not let the Budget session run, is condemnable, to say the least," Piyush Goyal said.</p>

<p>BJP MPs in Bengaluru have also been&nbsp;observing&nbsp;a day-long fast over the disruption in Parliament during the Budget session.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Narendra Modi is observing a day-long fast along as he announced yesterday. He continued his day on fast while inaugurating the DefExpo at Mahabalipuram.</p>

<p>Party president Amit Shah will take part in a sit-in at Hubli-Dharwad against the Siddaramaiah government in poll-bound Karnataka.</p>

<p>The BJP has blamed Congress for practising divisive politics accusing it of taking parliamentary proceedings "to a new low".</p>

<p>On last day of budget session PM Modi had announced his decision to observe a fast and urged all his BJP parliamentarians to do the same.</p>

<p>Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala had responded saying "farce of a fast by the Modi government and BJP".</p>

<p>Congress said BJP should be on a fast to seek an apology over issues like banking frauds, CBSE paper leak and dilution of SC/ST Act.</p>


BJP MPs in Bengaluru as well are observing a fast in over the parliament disruptions during the budget session

As PM Narendra began his fast on Thursday, Union minister Piyush Goyal began observing a fast in Thane, Maharashtra along with other party leaders as a protest against the Parliament "washout" during the Budget session. In Delhi, several BJP leaders observed fast in the Townhall. ''The way in which Congress & other opposition parties did not let the Budget session run, is condemnable, to say the least," Piyush Goyal said. BJP MPs in Bengaluru have also been observing a day-long fast over the disruption in Parliament during the Budget session. Meanwhile, Narendra Modi is observing a day-long fast along as he announced yesterday. He continued his day on fast while inaugurating the DefExpo at Mahabalipuram. Party president Amit Shah will take part in a sit-in at Hubli-Dharwad against the Siddaramaiah government in poll-bound Karnataka. The BJP has blamed Congress for practising divisive politics accusing it of taking parliamentary proceedings "to a new low". On last day of budget session PM Modi had announced his decision to observe a fast and urged all his BJP parliamentarians to do the same. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala had responded saying "farce of a fast by the Modi government and BJP". Congress said BJP should be on a fast to seek an apology over issues like banking frauds, CBSE paper leak and dilution of SC/ST Act.

BJP MPs in Bengaluru, Maharashtra & Delhi observe fast along with Modi

<p>Indian Railways, the country's biggest public sector employer,&nbsp;will be conducting online examination for filling up its vacancies.</p>

<p>Over 2.8 crore people have enrolled for the examinations that have nearly 90,000 jobs on offer.</p>

<p>The number of applicants is expected to rise further before the last day of the application ends on Saturday.</p>

<p>The government may also offer 20,000 more jobs in the coming month.</p>

<p>The applications were invited for the posts of assistant loco pilots (train drivers), technicians, carpenters and crane drivers among others in Level 2 of the 7th Pay Commission. Other vacancies include posts for&nbsp;gangmen, switchmen, trackmen, cabinmen, welders, helpers and porters in Level 1 of the 7th pay panel.</p>

<p>The massive recruitment in the railway's sector is seen as Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal's bid to strengthen and expand the&nbsp;size of the railway sector in the country. The move is also seen as&nbsp;the government's attempt to fulfil its&nbsp;promise of creating more jobs in the country</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The number of applicants is expected to rise further before the last day of the application comes to an end on Saturday

Indian Railways, the country's biggest public sector employer, will be conducting online examination for filling up its vacancies. Over 2.8 crore people have enrolled for the examinations that have nearly 90,000 jobs on offer. The number of applicants is expected to rise further before the last day of the application ends on Saturday. The government may also offer 20,000 more jobs in the coming month. The applications were invited for the posts of assistant loco pilots (train drivers), technicians, carpenters and crane drivers among others in Level 2 of the 7th Pay Commission. Other vacancies include posts for gangmen, switchmen, trackmen, cabinmen, welders, helpers and porters in Level 1 of the 7th pay panel. The massive recruitment in the railway's sector is seen as Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal's bid to strengthen and expand the size of the railway sector in the country. The move is also seen as the government's attempt to fulfil its promise of creating more jobs in the country

Close to 3 crore applicants fight for 90,000 railway jobs

<p>Responding to the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rail-roko-protests-in-mumbai-called-off-train-services-between-matunga-and-csmt-resume-36463" target="_blank">agitation of students for railway recruitment</a>, Union Railway minister Piyush Goyal has said that 20 per cent seat is already reserved for apprentices and the students were demanding more.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said, &quot;Was in continuous touch with officials. No rules have changed, 20 per cent seats are reserved for apprentices but they are demanding more. Lathi-charge was done after agitators started pelting stones, no one was injured&quot;.</p>

<p>While Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that recruitment in Railways was being done at a large scale.</p>

<p>He added that on the directives of Supreme Court, Indian Railways has made an unbiased and transparent recruitment policy.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Recruitment in Railways is underway at a large scale. On directives of Supreme Court, Indian Railways has made a recruitment policy that is unbiased &amp; transparent: Piyush Goyal on Railway job aspirants&#39; agitation in Mumbai <a href="https://t.co/mjWBIlwGcL">pic.twitter.com/mjWBIlwGcL</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/975974113998237696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Scores of students agitated Tuesday morning demanding jobs in railways.</p>

<p>The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/over-60-trains-cancelled-as-job-aspirants-block-railway-tracks-in-mumbai-36451" target="_blank">students blocked rail traffic, including suburban services</a> between Matunga and Dadar stations, causing difficulties to lakhs of commuters, a Central Railway official said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The protests have been called off for now and train services have resumed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


While Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that recruitment in Railways was being done on a large scale. He added that on the directives of Supreme Court, Indian Railways has made an unbiased and transparent recruitment policy

Responding to the agitation of students for railway recruitment, Union Railway minister Piyush Goyal has said that 20 per cent seat is already reserved for apprentices and the students were demanding more. He said, "Was in continuous touch with officials. No rules have changed, 20 per cent seats are reserved for apprentices but they are demanding more. Lathi-charge was done after agitators started pelting stones, no one was injured". While Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that recruitment in Railways was being done at a large scale. He added that on the directives of Supreme Court, Indian Railways has made an unbiased and transparent recruitment policy. Recruitment in Railways is underway at a large scale. On directives of Supreme Court, Indian Railways has made a recruitment policy that is unbiased & transparent: Piyush Goyal on Railway job aspirants' agitation in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/mjWBIlwGcL — ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018 × Scores of students agitated Tuesday morning demanding jobs in railways. The students blocked rail traffic, including suburban services between Matunga and Dadar stations, causing difficulties to lakhs of commuters, a Central Railway official said. The protests have been called off for now and train services have resumed.

20% seats already reserved for apprentices, students demanding more: Piyush Goyal on rail roko protest

<p>According to Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, Uttar Pradesh&#39;s railway budget has seen an increase from Rs 1,100 crore last year to Rs 3,600 crore this year.</p>

<p>&quot;The budget outlay for Uttar Pradesh has been increased to Rs 3,600 crore as against Rs 1,100 crores in the previous year,&quot; the minister said.</p>

<p>Goyal also made announcements for various other projects including re-development of Charbagh railway station, Lucknow Junction and Gomti Nagar stations among others.</p>

<p>The minister spoke at an event in the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow earlier today. He added the total budget for the projects announced today alone will be Rs 3,600 crores.</p>

<p>Goyal said that Indian Railways is working relentlessly on speed, safety, security and passenger amenities at stations across the length and breadth of the country.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Our government is determined to ensure that all the railway stations in the country are clean, safe and have all kind of facilities. We&#39;ve decided to put CCTV cameras in all trains and also provide WiFi facility: Piyush Goyal, Union Railway Minister. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lucknow?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lucknow</a> <a href="https://t.co/k18CfrAlTM">pic.twitter.com/k18CfrAlTM</a></p>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/975337433410818050?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;The facilities that are being offered are -- two escalators and a lift at the Lucknow Station (NR), three lifts at platform number 1, 2/3 and 4/5 at Lucknow Junction (North- Eastern Railway), an over-bridge at Lucknow Junction.(NER), a foot overbridge at Utraitia, an electronic interlocking at Ajgain, Amausi &amp; Harauni stations, a renovated circulating area and a new station building of station entry at Aishbagh station and a dedication of heritage steam locomotive stabled at Lucknow station (NR),&quot; Goyal&#39;s official statement noted.</p>

<p>Goyal also shared that the government is determined to ensure that all the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/all-trains-to-have-cctv-wifi-soon-railway-minister-piyush-goyal-36264">railway stations in the country are clean</a>&nbsp;and safe.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;CCTV cameras will be installed in all trains and WiFi facility will also be available,&quot; the minister added.</p>

<p>Goyal also shared that his ministry plans to turn Raebareli railway coach factory as the largest in the world.</p>


Goyal also made announcements for various other projects including re-development of Charbagh railway station in Lucknow

According to Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, Uttar Pradesh's railway budget has seen an increase from Rs 1,100 crore last year to Rs 3,600 crore this year. "The budget outlay for Uttar Pradesh has been increased to Rs 3,600 crore as against Rs 1,100 crores in the previous year," the minister said. Goyal also made announcements for various other projects including re-development of Charbagh railway station, Lucknow Junction and Gomti Nagar stations among others. The minister spoke at an event in the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow earlier today. He added the total budget for the projects announced today alone will be Rs 3,600 crores. Goyal said that Indian Railways is working relentlessly on speed, safety, security and passenger amenities at stations across the length and breadth of the country. Our government is determined to ensure that all the railway stations in the country are clean, safe and have all kind of facilities. We've decided to put CCTV cameras in all trains and also provide WiFi facility: Piyush Goyal, Union Railway Minister. #Lucknow pic.twitter.com/k18CfrAlTM — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 18, 2018 × "The facilities that are being offered are -- two escalators and a lift at the Lucknow Station (NR), three lifts at platform number 1, 2/3 and 4/5 at Lucknow Junction (North- Eastern Railway), an over-bridge at Lucknow Junction.(NER), a foot overbridge at Utraitia, an electronic interlocking at Ajgain, Amausi & Harauni stations, a renovated circulating area and a new station building of station entry at Aishbagh station and a dedication of heritage steam locomotive stabled at Lucknow station (NR)," Goyal's official statement noted. Goyal also shared that the government is determined to ensure that all the railway stations in the country are clean and safe. "CCTV cameras will be installed in all trains and WiFi facility will also be available," the minister added. Goyal also shared that his ministry plans to turn Raebareli railway coach factory as the largest in the world.

Uttar Pradesh's rail budget increased from Rs 1,100 crore to Rs 3,600 crore: Piyush Goyal

<p>Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal today said that the government is determined to ensure that all the railway stations in the country are clean, safe.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The minister spoke at an event at Lucknow earlier today and added that very soon all railway stations across will be equipped with &quot;all kind of facilities&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;CCTV cameras will be installed in all trains and WiFi facility will also be available,&quot; Goyal added.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Our government is determined to ensure that all the railway stations in the country are clean, safe and have all kind of facilities. We&#39;ve decided to put CCTV cameras in all trains and also provide WiFi facility: Piyush Goyal, Union Railway Minister. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lucknow?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lucknow</a> <a href="https://t.co/k18CfrAlTM">pic.twitter.com/k18CfrAlTM</a></p>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/975337433410818050?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Goyal&#39;s statement came a couple of days after the Indian Railways decided to remove all LCD screens from Tejas and Shatabdi Express owing to vandalism and the high cost of repairing broken screens.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The minister also added that his ministry plans to turn Raebareli railway coach factory as the largest one in the world.</p>


The minister also added that his ministry plans to turn Raebareli railway coach factory as the largest one in the world

Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal today said that the government is determined to ensure that all the railway stations in the country are clean, safe. The minister spoke at an event at Lucknow earlier today and added that very soon all railway stations across will be equipped with "all kind of facilities". "CCTV cameras will be installed in all trains and WiFi facility will also be available," Goyal added. Our government is determined to ensure that all the railway stations in the country are clean, safe and have all kind of facilities. We've decided to put CCTV cameras in all trains and also provide WiFi facility: Piyush Goyal, Union Railway Minister. #Lucknow pic.twitter.com/k18CfrAlTM — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 18, 2018 × Goyal's statement came a couple of days after the Indian Railways decided to remove all LCD screens from Tejas and Shatabdi Express owing to vandalism and the high cost of repairing broken screens. The minister also added that his ministry plans to turn Raebareli railway coach factory as the largest one in the world.

All trains to have CCTV, WiFi soon: Railway Minister Piyush Goyal

<p>Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday announced that railway examination fees incurred by the applicants will be refunded once they appear&nbsp;for the examination.</p>

<p>Goyal announced that exam fee of Rs 250 for the exempted categories will be fully refunded to the applicants after they take the exam.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Railway examination fees for exempted categories is Rs 250, which will be refunded once they appear in the exam &amp; for general categories, it is Rs 500, of which Rs 400 will be refunded after appearing in exam: Piyush Goyal,Railway Minister</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/966331875026403333?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>For the applicants appearing in the general category, Rs 400 out of the total fee of Rs 500 will be refunded.</p>

<p>According to the minister, close to 60 per cent of the applicants appear for the final exam.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Exam fee for the exempted categories will be fully refunded to the applicants after they take the exam

Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday announced that railway examination fees incurred by the applicants will be refunded once they appear for the examination. Goyal announced that exam fee of Rs 250 for the exempted categories will be fully refunded to the applicants after they take the exam. Railway examination fees for exempted categories is Rs 250, which will be refunded once they appear in the exam & for general categories, it is Rs 500, of which Rs 400 will be refunded after appearing in exam: Piyush Goyal,Railway Minister — ANI (@ANI) February 21, 2018 × For the applicants appearing in the general category, Rs 400 out of the total fee of Rs 500 will be refunded. According to the minister, close to 60 per cent of the applicants appear for the final exam.

Railway examination fees will be refunded: Piyush Goyal

<p>Indian Railways has initiated disciplinary action against over 13,000 employees who were absent from work for a long time or were on leave without authorisation.</p>

<p>According to reports, the Officer and supervisors are instructed terminate the services of such employees following the necessary process.</p>

<p>The action against the erring employees has been initiated under a drive ordered by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal to improve the performance of the railways.</p>

<p>Earlier railways said in a statement that a massive drive has been launched to identify absentees in various establishments of railways in which it was found that 13,500 employees out of the workforce of 13 lakhs were on absent without any authorisation.</p>

<p>The drive also intends to boost the morale of sincere and diligent employees.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The action against is employees is taken under a drive ordered by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal to improve the performance of the railways

Indian Railways has initiated disciplinary action against over 13,000 employees who were absent from work for a long time or were on leave without authorisation. According to reports, the Officer and supervisors are instructed terminate the services of such employees following the necessary process. The action against the erring employees has been initiated under a drive ordered by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal to improve the performance of the railways. Earlier railways said in a statement that a massive drive has been launched to identify absentees in various establishments of railways in which it was found that 13,500 employees out of the workforce of 13 lakhs were on absent without any authorisation. The drive also intends to boost the morale of sincere and diligent employees.

Indian railways to terminate services of over 13,000 employees over unauthorised absence

<p>Railway Minister Piyush Goyal today said the national transporter would focus on technology this year to ensure safety on its network.</p>

<p>Finance Minister Arun Jaitley allocated Rs 2,025 crore for an overhaul of the signalling and telecommunication system of the Indian Railways in 2018-2019. Rs 11,450 crore has been earmarked for track renewal.</p>

<p>The total expenditure planned on safety, including Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK), is Rs 68,725 crore in 2017-18 and Rs 73,065 crore in 2018-19.</p>

<p>The RRSK will have Rs 5,000 crore from Capital (Budgetary Support), Rs 10,000 crore from the Railway Safety Fund and Rs 5,000 crore from the Railways? revenue.</p>

<p>&quot;The focus will be on technology, in everything. I have to give people security. If I try and provide personnel on every train and in every coach, it will be very expensive. My target is to have CCTV cameras and Wi-Fi in all trains and all coaches,&quot; he said at a press briefing.</p>

<p>&quot;In my department, money is never a concern,&quot; he said, when asked about the budget for introducing high-end technology in the Railways.</p>

<p>Goyal said he had a plan to introduce an effective and modern ETCS II system - a radio-based cab signalling equipment - on the railway network which would not only help address safety concerns but also aid in capacity management.</p>

<p>Stakeholders in the Railways reacted positively to the thrust on technology.</p>

<p>&quot;While introduction of Wi-Fi, CCTV cameras, escalators are much-needed steps to allow the Railways to serve its customers better, upgradation of the infrastructure through induction of modern train sets, world-class signalling systems is very much the need of the hour,&quot; Bharat Salhotra, Vice President (Sales and Business, Development), ALSTOM, Asia Pacific, told.</p>

<p>France-based Alstom is producing India&#39;s first 12,000 horsepower electric locomotive at its plant in Madhepura, Bihar, which is likely to be rolled out in March.&nbsp;</p>


The total expenditure planned on safety, including Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK), is Rs 68,725 crore in 2017-18 and Rs 73,065 crore in 2018-19.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal today said the national transporter would focus on technology this year to ensure safety on its network. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley allocated Rs 2,025 crore for an overhaul of the signalling and telecommunication system of the Indian Railways in 2018-2019. Rs 11,450 crore has been earmarked for track renewal. The total expenditure planned on safety, including Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK), is Rs 68,725 crore in 2017-18 and Rs 73,065 crore in 2018-19. The RRSK will have Rs 5,000 crore from Capital (Budgetary Support), Rs 10,000 crore from the Railway Safety Fund and Rs 5,000 crore from the Railways? revenue. "The focus will be on technology, in everything. I have to give people security. If I try and provide personnel on every train and in every coach, it will be very expensive. My target is to have CCTV cameras and Wi-Fi in all trains and all coaches," he said at a press briefing. "In my department, money is never a concern," he said, when asked about the budget for introducing high-end technology in the Railways. Goyal said he had a plan to introduce an effective and modern ETCS II system - a radio-based cab signalling equipment - on the railway network which would not only help address safety concerns but also aid in capacity management. Stakeholders in the Railways reacted positively to the thrust on technology. "While introduction of Wi-Fi, CCTV cameras, escalators are much-needed steps to allow the Railways to serve its customers better, upgradation of the infrastructure through induction of modern train sets, world-class signalling systems is very much the need of the hour," Bharat Salhotra, Vice President (Sales and Business, Development), ALSTOM, Asia Pacific, told. France-based Alstom is producing India's first 12,000 horsepower electric locomotive at its plant in Madhepura, Bihar, which is likely to be rolled out in March.

Watch: Railways to focus on technology to ensure safety

<p>Union Railways Minister, Piyush Goyal, told reporters that Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) is planning to explore new &quot;lines of businesses&quot; and will ensure better applicability of its Minimum Alternate Tax.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Have aggressive plans to monetize some assets of Indian Railways, planning to change some existing guidelines on monetizing land&amp;station assets.We are also contemplating to increase lease period from 45 yrs to 99 yrs&amp;allowing participants to have multiple leases: Railway Minister <a href="https://t.co/R27rPm3Hu4">pic.twitter.com/R27rPm3Hu4</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/952147328533635072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Minimum Alternate Tax will enable better valuation of IRFC, the minister noted in Mumbai today.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) in the days to come is going to expand its footprint into the newer lines of business &amp; will be able to use its Minimum Alternate Tax better because of which valuation of IRFC can be much better: Piyush Goyal, Railway Minister in Mumbai <a href="https://t.co/SZglntLBbA">pic.twitter.com/SZglntLBbA</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/952149229325004801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Mr Goyal also shared the ministry&#39;s plans &quot;to monetize some assets of Indian Railways&quot; and other plans to change some of the existing guidelines on land and station assets monetization.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We are trying to set up 20 lakh CCTV cameras in the entire Indian Railway network, particularly the passenger coaches: <a href="https://twitter.com/PiyushGoyal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PiyushGoyal</a></p>
&mdash; Piyush Goyal Office (@PiyushGoyalOffc) <a href="https://twitter.com/PiyushGoyalOffc/status/952151606585364480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;We are also contemplating to increase lease period from 45 yrs to 99 years with an aim to allow participants to have multiple leases,&quot; he shared.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">IRFC has been playing an improtant role in the activities of Indian Railways. It&#39;s one of the major financing arms which helps us to bring in investments required for the railways: <a href="https://twitter.com/PiyushGoyal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PiyushGoyal</a></p>
&mdash; Piyush Goyal Office (@PiyushGoyalOffc) <a href="https://twitter.com/PiyushGoyalOffc/status/952128798878781440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and Chairman of Railway Board Ashwani Lohani visited Mumbai to discuss new projects with rail planners.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Mr Goyal also shared the ministry's plans 'to monetize some assets of Indian Railways'

Union Railways Minister, Piyush Goyal, told reporters that Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) is planning to explore new "lines of businesses" and will ensure better applicability of its Minimum Alternate Tax. Have aggressive plans to monetize some assets of Indian Railways, planning to change some existing guidelines on monetizing land&station assets.We are also contemplating to increase lease period from 45 yrs to 99 yrs&allowing participants to have multiple leases: Railway Minister pic.twitter.com/R27rPm3Hu4 — ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2018 × Minimum Alternate Tax will enable better valuation of IRFC, the minister noted in Mumbai today. Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) in the days to come is going to expand its footprint into the newer lines of business & will be able to use its Minimum Alternate Tax better because of which valuation of IRFC can be much better: Piyush Goyal, Railway Minister in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/SZglntLBbA — ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2018 × Mr Goyal also shared the ministry's plans "to monetize some assets of Indian Railways" and other plans to change some of the existing guidelines on land and station assets monetization. We are trying to set up 20 lakh CCTV cameras in the entire Indian Railway network, particularly the passenger coaches: @PiyushGoyal — Piyush Goyal Office (@PiyushGoyalOffc) January 13, 2018 × "We are also contemplating to increase lease period from 45 yrs to 99 years with an aim to allow participants to have multiple leases," he shared. IRFC has been playing an improtant role in the activities of Indian Railways. It's one of the major financing arms which helps us to bring in investments required for the railways: @PiyushGoyal — Piyush Goyal Office (@PiyushGoyalOffc) January 13, 2018 × Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and Chairman of Railway Board Ashwani Lohani visited Mumbai to discuss new projects with rail planners. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian Railways Finance Corporation to explore new 'lines of businesses': Railways Minister Piyush Goyal

<p>Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has said that the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will allow companies to supply their ready-to-eat meals directly to passengers on trains.</p>

<p>The minister took to Twitter on Thursday and said, &quot;Aiming to ensuring hygienic and healthy food for passengers, Indian Railways to allow companies to supply their ready-to-eat meals directly to passengers on trains.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Aiming to ensuring hygienic and healthy food for passengers, Indian Railways to allow companies to supply their ready-to-eat meals directly to passengers on trains. <a href="https://t.co/mAb6SDiAuJ">https://t.co/mAb6SDiAuJ</a></p>
&mdash; Piyush Goyal Office (@PiyushGoyalOffc) <a href="https://twitter.com/PiyushGoyalOffc/status/951427220811075584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Reportedly, Goyal had asked the Railway officials to ensure that the food served on trains should carry the information about the quantity and the contractor supplying it, besides the date of packing and a distinct symbol indicating if it is a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian item.</p>

<p>According to the catering policy launched in February last year, all mobile pantry, food plazas, and base kitchens will be brought under the IRCTC.</p>

<p>Aiming to ensure hygienic and healthy food for passengers on board, the IRCTC is putting efforts to improve catering services in trains.</p>


Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said, 'Aiming to ensure hygienic and healthy food for passengers, Indian Railways to allow companies to supply their ready-to-eat meals directly to passengers on trains.'

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has said that the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will allow companies to supply their ready-to-eat meals directly to passengers on trains. The minister took to Twitter on Thursday and said, "Aiming to ensuring hygienic and healthy food for passengers, Indian Railways to allow companies to supply their ready-to-eat meals directly to passengers on trains." Aiming to ensuring hygienic and healthy food for passengers, Indian Railways to allow companies to supply their ready-to-eat meals directly to passengers on trains. https://t.co/mAb6SDiAuJ — Piyush Goyal Office (@PiyushGoyalOffc) January 11, 2018 × Reportedly, Goyal had asked the Railway officials to ensure that the food served on trains should carry the information about the quantity and the contractor supplying it, besides the date of packing and a distinct symbol indicating if it is a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian item. According to the catering policy launched in February last year, all mobile pantry, food plazas, and base kitchens will be brought under the IRCTC. Aiming to ensure hygienic and healthy food for passengers on board, the IRCTC is putting efforts to improve catering services in trains.

Now, private companies can supply meals in trains: Railway Minister Piyush Goyal

<p>The government said on Friday it has redrawn the criteria for the redevelopment of railway stations.</p>

<p>Railway minister Piyush Goyal said that stations would be re-categorised on the basis of revenue, footfall and strategic importance.</p>

<p>Many new stations are being identified for redevelopment, Goyal said during the Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha.</p>

<p>He said that 23 stations were being redeveloped in the first stage of the station redevelopment program by zonal railways.</p>

<p>Members also raised the issue of the tragedy in Mumbai&#39;s Elphinstone railway station due to stampede and collapse of a foot overbridge.</p>

<p>Goyal said the foot overbridge had not fallen because of Railways but was a combination of some unfortunate events including panic over some words uttered by a flower vendor.</p>

<p>Since the footfall criterion was being introduced, he believed that the Elphinstone station could figure among the new stations.</p>

<p>The minister said the Army&#39;s help had been sought with regard to the station and added that a private contract was also given.</p>

<p>A member complained of the unhygienic condition in train toilets and asked whether private contractors were accountable. Goyal said action can be taken and urged the members to bring such instances to his notice.</p>


The minister said the Army's help had been sought with regard to the station and added that a private contract was also given.

The government said on Friday it has redrawn the criteria for the redevelopment of railway stations. Railway minister Piyush Goyal said that stations would be re-categorised on the basis of revenue, footfall and strategic importance. Many new stations are being identified for redevelopment, Goyal said during the Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha. He said that 23 stations were being redeveloped in the first stage of the station redevelopment program by zonal railways. Members also raised the issue of the tragedy in Mumbai's Elphinstone railway station due to stampede and collapse of a foot overbridge. Goyal said the foot overbridge had not fallen because of Railways but was a combination of some unfortunate events including panic over some words uttered by a flower vendor. Since the footfall criterion was being introduced, he believed that the Elphinstone station could figure among the new stations. The minister said the Army's help had been sought with regard to the station and added that a private contract was also given. A member complained of the unhygienic condition in train toilets and asked whether private contractors were accountable. Goyal said action can be taken and urged the members to bring such instances to his notice.

Criteria for redeveloping railway stations redrawn

<p>As the government gets ready <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/piyush-goyals-answer-on-quora-goes-viral-24181">to power bullet trains in India</a>, a parliamentary standing committee on Railways tabled its report on tourism promotion today and asked the Indian Railways why the occupancy rate of luxury trains was low.</p>

<p>The Standing Committee <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/dynamic-pricing-indian-railways-cope-with-the-uncertainties-of-business-6407">said the occupancy rate was</a> as low as 30 per cent, adding that&nbsp;the occupancy rate revealed a &quot;shocking picture&quot;</p>

<p>Last year, railway minister Piyush Goyal had said bullet train project will help Indian Railways revolutionize every passenger&rsquo;s journey, pointing out that naysayers had criticised the start of the Rajdhani Trains in 1968. Even the chairman of the railway board opposed it, the railways&#39; minister had said.</p>

<p>The committee in its report said the percentage of vacant seats during 2012-2017 was 62.7 per cent, 57.76 per cent, 45.46 per cent, 45.81 per cent for Maharaja Express, Golden Chariot, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, Deccan Odyssey and Palace on Wheels respectively.</p>

<p>The committee pointed out that in the case of Maharaja Express, which was bestowed with the &quot;world&#39;s leading luxury train&quot; award by a Travel award agency for five consecutive years, the train saw uneven occupancy rates in the last four years in the range of 30 to 40 per cent.</p>

<p>&quot;Further, in the same train during 2013-2014, 758 seats were occupied out of 1,594 in which 97 seats had been occupied by complimentary travellers,&quot; the report observed.</p>

<p>The report recommended that the Railways form a special panel to look into the various reasons for low occupancy and advice the ministry on a mechanism to attract more tourists for the trains and suggest framework ways to improve tariff and tour plans.</p>


The committee was especially disappointed with the occupancy rate of Maharaja Express

As the government gets ready to power bullet trains in India, a parliamentary standing committee on Railways tabled its report on tourism promotion today and asked the Indian Railways why the occupancy rate of luxury trains was low. The Standing Committee said the occupancy rate was as low as 30 per cent, adding that the occupancy rate revealed a "shocking picture" Last year, railway minister Piyush Goyal had said bullet train project will help Indian Railways revolutionize every passenger’s journey, pointing out that naysayers had criticised the start of the Rajdhani Trains in 1968. Even the chairman of the railway board opposed it, the railways' minister had said. The committee in its report said the percentage of vacant seats during 2012-2017 was 62.7 per cent, 57.76 per cent, 45.46 per cent, 45.81 per cent for Maharaja Express, Golden Chariot, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, Deccan Odyssey and Palace on Wheels respectively. The committee pointed out that in the case of Maharaja Express, which was bestowed with the "world's leading luxury train" award by a Travel award agency for five consecutive years, the train saw uneven occupancy rates in the last four years in the range of 30 to 40 per cent. "Further, in the same train during 2013-2014, 758 seats were occupied out of 1,594 in which 97 seats had been occupied by complimentary travellers," the report observed. The report recommended that the Railways form a special panel to look into the various reasons for low occupancy and advice the ministry on a mechanism to attract more tourists for the trains and suggest framework ways to improve tariff and tour plans.

Explain reason for low occupancy in luxury trains: Standing committee to Railways

<p>The Railway Minister has decided to lay focus on fighting crime against women and children in 2018, reports said on Saturday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;We will take 2018 as a year where we collectively fight against atrocities against women and children, especially human trafficking. That will be a focused effort across Indian railways,&quot; Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said at a press conference here today.</p>

<p>&quot;As far as security is concerned, we are all thinking about it. We are thinking of providing internet connectivity and CCTV on trains. Discussions are on to provide CCTV on all trains across India,&quot; Goyal added.</p>

<p>The railway minister further said that they have had a meeting with the top officials of the ministry to uplift the working conditions in the Indian Railway for &quot;New India&quot; in 2022.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Top management team of the Indian railways assembled in Delhi -we titled it as &#39;Sampark Samanvay Samvad&#39;- to bring about cohesiveness in the working of Indian railways and bring about a change in the mindset to work as a team collectively to bring about the transformation of the Indian Railways to align a new rail with the New India 2022,&quot; he added.</p>


The railway minister further said that they have had a meeting with the top officials of the ministry to uplift the working conditions in the Indian Railway for "New India" in 2022

The Railway Minister has decided to lay focus on fighting crime against women and children in 2018, reports said on Saturday. "We will take 2018 as a year where we collectively fight against atrocities against women and children, especially human trafficking. That will be a focused effort across Indian railways," Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said at a press conference here today. "As far as security is concerned, we are all thinking about it. We are thinking of providing internet connectivity and CCTV on trains. Discussions are on to provide CCTV on all trains across India," Goyal added. The railway minister further said that they have had a meeting with the top officials of the ministry to uplift the working conditions in the Indian Railway for "New India" in 2022. "Top management team of the Indian railways assembled in Delhi -we titled it as 'Sampark Samanvay Samvad'- to bring about cohesiveness in the working of Indian railways and bring about a change in the mindset to work as a team collectively to bring about the transformation of the Indian Railways to align a new rail with the New India 2022," he added.

Indian Railways to focus more on women, children safety in 2018

<p>Citing email exchanges between Congress president-elect and former union environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan, the BJP said Wednesday that Manmohan Singh was &quot;just a titular head&quot; of the UPA.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Email exchanges between Rahul Gandhi and Jayanthi Natarajan show that all decisions were directly taken by the family and PM Manmohan Singh was just a titular head,&quot; Union Minister&nbsp;Piyush Goyal said.</p>

<p>&quot;We have accessed email in which Jayanti Natarajan when UPA minister was even willing to go home to meet personal secretary of Rahul Gandhi. This was how people not a part of government interfered in governance during UPA,&quot; Goyal added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A long and bitter campaign -- accompanied by a number of startling accusations -- for the Gujarat elections came to a close on Tuesday evening.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also&nbsp;read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-claims-pakistan-trying-to-influence-gujarat-elections-26391" target="_blank">Modi claims Pakistan trying to influence Gujarat elections</a></p>

<p>A second and final phase of polling in Gujarat will be held tomorrow, and the results will be announced on December 18.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has since responded most strongly to the accusations, but that did not stop the BJP on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-one-can-lamely-question-my-public-service-manmohan-to-modi-on-pak-meddling-allegations-26463" target="_blank">No one can lamely question my public service: Manmohan to Modi on Pak meddling allegations</a></p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/manmohan-singh-reiterates-pain-and-anguish-in-video-26668">Pakistan meddling allegation: Manmohan Singh reiterates pain and anguish in video</a></p>

<p>Goyal also accused Gandhi of being &quot;willing to kill jobs in Gujarat to hurt development agenda&quot;:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rahul Gandhi opposed Nirma project &amp; instructed Jayanti Natarajan to not give environmental clearance. Was willing to kill jobs in Gujarat to undermine to hurt development agenda of Narendra Modi: Piyush Goyal,Union Minister <a href="https://t.co/0QMswD6Shp">pic.twitter.com/0QMswD6Shp</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940945493294641153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-vadnagar-tea-tales-by-trackless-station-and-lack-of-jobs-26588" target="_blank">At Vadnagar, tea tales by trackless station and lack of jobs</a></p>

<p>&quot;In UPA, how projects were stalled and environment ministry was used is evident in the email,&quot; Goyal said.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


'Email exchanges between Rahul Gandhi and Jayanthi Natarajan show that all decisions were directly taken by the family and PM Manmohan Singh was just a titular head,' Union Minister?Piyush Goyal said

Citing email exchanges between Congress president-elect and former union environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan, the BJP said Wednesday that Manmohan Singh was "just a titular head" of the UPA. "Email exchanges between Rahul Gandhi and Jayanthi Natarajan show that all decisions were directly taken by the family and PM Manmohan Singh was just a titular head," Union Minister Piyush Goyal said. "We have accessed email in which Jayanti Natarajan when UPA minister was even willing to go home to meet personal secretary of Rahul Gandhi. This was how people not a part of government interfered in governance during UPA," Goyal added. A long and bitter campaign -- accompanied by a number of startling accusations -- for the Gujarat elections came to a close on Tuesday evening. Also read: Modi claims Pakistan trying to influence Gujarat elections A second and final phase of polling in Gujarat will be held tomorrow, and the results will be announced on December 18. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has since responded most strongly to the accusations, but that did not stop the BJP on Wednesday. No one can lamely question my public service: Manmohan to Modi on Pak meddling allegations Pakistan meddling allegation: Manmohan Singh reiterates pain and anguish in video Goyal also accused Gandhi of being "willing to kill jobs in Gujarat to hurt development agenda": Rahul Gandhi opposed Nirma project & instructed Jayanti Natarajan to not give environmental clearance. Was willing to kill jobs in Gujarat to undermine to hurt development agenda of Narendra Modi: Piyush Goyal,Union Minister pic.twitter.com/0QMswD6Shp — ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2017 × Also read: At Vadnagar, tea tales by trackless station and lack of jobs "In UPA, how projects were stalled and environment ministry was used is evident in the email," Goyal said.

Citing email exchanges, BJP says Manmohan 'just a titular head' of UPA

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered the first president of independent India Dr Rajendra Prasad, on his 133rd birth anniversary.</p>

<p>PM Modi took to Twitter and posted an image of Dr Rajendra Prasad and signed a personal message that said, &quot;India remembers Dr Rajendra Prasad, our first President on his Jayanti.&quot;</p>

<p>He further said generations of Indians get inspired by Dr Rajendra Prasad&#39;s distinguished service.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="in">Remembering Dr. Rajendra Prasad on his Jayanti. <a href="https://t.co/4uPv8aGAjf">pic.twitter.com/4uPv8aGAjf</a></p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/937162322425946113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Minister of Railways and Coal, Piyush Goyal also express his honour to the first president of India and said, &quot;Tributes to Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, on his birth anniversary. We remember his leadership &amp; valuable contribution towards nation building.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Tributes to Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, on his birth anniversary. We remember his leadership &amp; valuable contribution towards nation building. <a href="https://t.co/ZePAGB5KS5">pic.twitter.com/ZePAGB5KS5</a></p>
&mdash; Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/PiyushGoyal/status/937139079573049345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan also took to Twitter and gave a tribute to Dr Rajendra Prasad.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">My tribute to the first President of India, Dr.Rajendra Prasad on his birth anniversary. <a href="https://t.co/0Rt2Sf8U0p">pic.twitter.com/0Rt2Sf8U0p</a></p>
&mdash; Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) <a href="https://twitter.com/dpradhanbjp/status/937162643663491072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Rajendra Prasad was the first President of India and took command in office from 1950 to 1962.</p>

<p>Dr Prasad was a politician and lawyer by training, who joined the Indian National Congress during the Indian Independence Movement and became a major leader from the region of Bihar.</p>

<p>He was an avid supporter of Mahatma Gandhi and was imprisoned by British authorities during the Salt Satyagraha of 1931 and the Quit India movement of 1942.</p>


Today is Dr Rajendra Prasad 133rd birth anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered the first president of independent India Dr Rajendra Prasad, on his 133rd birth anniversary. PM Modi took to Twitter and posted an image of Dr Rajendra Prasad and signed a personal message that said, "India remembers Dr Rajendra Prasad, our first President on his Jayanti." He further said generations of Indians get inspired by Dr Rajendra Prasad's distinguished service. Remembering Dr. Rajendra Prasad on his Jayanti. pic.twitter.com/4uPv8aGAjf — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 3, 2017 × Minister of Railways and Coal, Piyush Goyal also express his honour to the first president of India and said, "Tributes to Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, on his birth anniversary. We remember his leadership & valuable contribution towards nation building." Tributes to Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, on his birth anniversary. We remember his leadership & valuable contribution towards nation building. pic.twitter.com/ZePAGB5KS5 — Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) December 3, 2017 × Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan also took to Twitter and gave a tribute to Dr Rajendra Prasad. My tribute to the first President of India, Dr.Rajendra Prasad on his birth anniversary. pic.twitter.com/0Rt2Sf8U0p — Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) December 3, 2017 × Rajendra Prasad was the first President of India and took command in office from 1950 to 1962. Dr Prasad was a politician and lawyer by training, who joined the Indian National Congress during the Indian Independence Movement and became a major leader from the region of Bihar. He was an avid supporter of Mahatma Gandhi and was imprisoned by British authorities during the Salt Satyagraha of 1931 and the Quit India movement of 1942.

'India remembers Dr Rajendra Prasad,' PM Modi says on his birth anniversary

<p>Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday, Goyal, who has maintained an active existence on social media platforms took to Quora this time to address his audience.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A Quora user who posed a question: &quot;Does India actually need a bullet train?&quot;, would not have seen it coming when Piyush Goyal gave his rather elaborate answer, citing the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/piyush-goyal-assures-people-indian-bullet-train-will-be-safe-20109">advantages of the bullet train</a> and also included infographics.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&ldquo;India is a rapidly developing economy with numerous developmental needs. A major component of India&rsquo;s developmental plan is the upgradation of current rail networks as well as the development of new high-speed rail corridors popularly known as bullet trains. The Mumbai &ndash; Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project, is a visionary project by the NDA Government which will herald a new era of safety, speed and service for the people, and help Indian Railways become an international leader in scale, speed, and skill,&rdquo; Goyal claimed.</p>

<p>&quot;New technology has not always been adopted easily and has at most times seen resistance. However, history shows us that new technology and advancements are highly beneficial for the country. For example, we see that naysayers had also criticised the start of the Rajdhani Trains in 1968. Even the chairman of the railway board opposed it; such things keep India backward. But today, they are the trains that everyone wishes to travel in&quot;&nbsp;he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He mentioned how the &#39;Bullet Train&#39; project will also help Indian Railways revolutionize every passenger&rsquo;s journey and then stated few pointers explaining the same.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He finally added, &quot;The bullet train project will not only add to the rail networks in terms of transport capabilities but will also add to the growing capabilities of the country.&quot;</p>

<p>His answer went viral instantly, reaching 33,000 views in just a couple of hours.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/india-advances-bullet-train-deadline-by-one-year-to-2022-4944">The 500-km railway will link Mumbai and Ahmedabad in western India, with services planned to commence in 2022.&nbsp;</a></p>


His answer went viral instantly, reaching 33,000 views in just a couple of hours.?

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday, Goyal, who has maintained an active existence on social media platforms took to Quora this time to address his audience. A Quora user who posed a question: "Does India actually need a bullet train?", would not have seen it coming when Piyush Goyal gave his rather elaborate answer, citing the advantages of the bullet train and also included infographics. “India is a rapidly developing economy with numerous developmental needs. A major component of India’s developmental plan is the upgradation of current rail networks as well as the development of new high-speed rail corridors popularly known as bullet trains. The Mumbai – Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project, is a visionary project by the NDA Government which will herald a new era of safety, speed and service for the people, and help Indian Railways become an international leader in scale, speed, and skill,” Goyal claimed. "New technology has not always been adopted easily and has at most times seen resistance. However, history shows us that new technology and advancements are highly beneficial for the country. For example, we see that naysayers had also criticised the start of the Rajdhani Trains in 1968. Even the chairman of the railway board opposed it; such things keep India backward. But today, they are the trains that everyone wishes to travel in" he said. He mentioned how the 'Bullet Train' project will also help Indian Railways revolutionize every passenger’s journey and then stated few pointers explaining the same. He finally added, "The bullet train project will not only add to the rail networks in terms of transport capabilities but will also add to the growing capabilities of the country." His answer went viral instantly, reaching 33,000 views in just a couple of hours. The 500-km railway will link Mumbai and Ahmedabad in western India, with services planned to commence in 2022.

Piyush Goyal answers questions on bullet trains on Quora

<p>The Army will help build a new foot overbridge at the Elphinstone Road station by January 31, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said as Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal visited the station, where a deadly stampede took place last month.</p>

<p>Fadnavis said that the Army will also help in building foot overbridges at two other stations here.</p>

<p>Sitharaman said it was probably the &quot;first time that the Army will come in to build in what could otherwise be called civil work&quot;.</p>

<p>Twenty-three people were killed in a stampede on the crowded foot overbridge (FOB) at the Elphinstone Road station here last month.</p>

<p>Speaking to reporters at the venue, Fadnavis said, &quot;We are taking the Army&#39;s help in building a new FOB at the Elphinstone Road station and at two other suburban train stations in Mumbai.</p>

<p>&quot;I have been informed that the work on these bridges will be completed by January 31,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Sitharaman said, &quot;This is probably the first time we have asked the Army to come in to build what could otherwise be called a civil work, but Elphinstone tragedy was so big.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;A call was taken to cooperate seeing the urgency of the matter as the Army has its role at the borders. The Army has come and seen, inspected and assessed where the bridge is going to be built, they will be there at every stage of the work,&quot; she said.</p>

<p>After the stampede on September 29, railway officials posted police personnel to manage the crowd on busy platforms, evicted hawkers from suburban train stations and started speeding up infrastructure projects on suburban network.</p>

<p>Goyal had earlier this month announced a slew of measures for the safety of commuters with a focus on foot overbridges (FOBs) in the country.</p>

<p>He had said the FOBs would now be &quot;mandatory&quot; at all stations. Previously, only the first FOB at a railway station was considered essential and the subsequent a passenger amenity.</p>


Sitharaman said it was probably the "first time that the Army will come in to build in what could otherwise be called civil work".

The Army will help build a new foot overbridge at the Elphinstone Road station by January 31, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said as Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal visited the station, where a deadly stampede took place last month. Fadnavis said that the Army will also help in building foot overbridges at two other stations here. Sitharaman said it was probably the "first time that the Army will come in to build in what could otherwise be called civil work". Twenty-three people were killed in a stampede on the crowded foot overbridge (FOB) at the Elphinstone Road station here last month. Speaking to reporters at the venue, Fadnavis said, "We are taking the Army's help in building a new FOB at the Elphinstone Road station and at two other suburban train stations in Mumbai. "I have been informed that the work on these bridges will be completed by January 31," he said. Sitharaman said, "This is probably the first time we have asked the Army to come in to build what could otherwise be called a civil work, but Elphinstone tragedy was so big." "A call was taken to cooperate seeing the urgency of the matter as the Army has its role at the borders. The Army has come and seen, inspected and assessed where the bridge is going to be built, they will be there at every stage of the work," she said. After the stampede on September 29, railway officials posted police personnel to manage the crowd on busy platforms, evicted hawkers from suburban train stations and started speeding up infrastructure projects on suburban network. Goyal had earlier this month announced a slew of measures for the safety of commuters with a focus on foot overbridges (FOBs) in the country. He had said the FOBs would now be "mandatory" at all stations. Previously, only the first FOB at a railway station was considered essential and the subsequent a passenger amenity.

Army to help build foot overbridge at Elphinstone station

<p>Railway Minister Piyush Goyal wants the Mathura Junction railway station to be equipped with all the necessary facilities, an official said.</p>

<p>According to the official, who did not wish to be named, Goyal wants a plan to be submitted to his ministry for the facelift of the Mathura station.</p>

<p>The minister had also emphasised on increasing the revenues of the railways through advertisement, he said.</p>

<p>Travelling to Kota by Jan Shatabdi Express, Goyal made a whistle-stop at Mathura on Sunday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Though he did not interact with the media, he gave instructions to the railway officials.</p>

<p>The railway minister also took feedback from the passengers on board the Jan Shatabdi Express.&nbsp;</p>


Railway Minister Piyush Goyal wants the Mathura Junction railway station to be equipped with all the necessary facilities

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal wants the Mathura Junction railway station to be equipped with all the necessary facilities, an official said. According to the official, who did not wish to be named, Goyal wants a plan to be submitted to his ministry for the facelift of the Mathura station. The minister had also emphasised on increasing the revenues of the railways through advertisement, he said. Travelling to Kota by Jan Shatabdi Express, Goyal made a whistle-stop at Mathura on Sunday. Though he did not interact with the media, he gave instructions to the railway officials. The railway minister also took feedback from the passengers on board the Jan Shatabdi Express.

Goyal in favour of Mathura railway station's facelift

<p>The Indian Railways will soon cut short the running time of over 500 long distance trains by up to two hours, a senior railway official said today.</p>

<p>The new timings will be updated in the November timetable of the railways, he said.</p>

<p>Following directions from Railway Minister Piyush Goyal earlier this month, the national carrier incorporated &quot;innovative timetabling&quot; under which running time of popular trains will reduce by 15 minutes to two hours.<br />
The new timetable will also provide each railway division two to four hours for maintenance works.</p>

<p>&quot;Our plan is to maximise the use of the existing rolling stock. It can be done in two ways - if we have a train that is waiting somewhere to return, we can use it during the lie over period.</p>

<p>&quot;In the new timetable around 50 such trains which will be run like this. Fifty-one trains will immediately see reduced run time from one to three hours. This will go up to more than 500 trains,&quot; the official said.</p>

<p>The railways has started the exercise of an internal audit through which 50 mail and express trains will be upgraded to super-fast services.</p>

<p>This is part of an overhaul of the rail system of increasing the average speed of existing trains, he said.</p>

<p>Trains such as the Bhopal-Jodhpur Express will reach 95 minutes early while the Guwahati-Indore Special will complete its 2,330-km journey 115 minutes early and the 1929-km journey of the Ghazipur-Bandra Terminus Express will be completed 95 minutes earlier.</p>

<p>The national transporter has also reduced the halt time of trains at stations. Similarly, trains will not stop at stations where footfall is less.</p>

<p>Coupled with track and infrastructure upgrade, automatic signalling and the new Linke-Hofmann-Busch coaches that allow a 130 kmph top speed, trains are expected to run faster.</p>

<p>The railways has also in the process of reviewing permanent speed restrictions.&nbsp;</p>


Following directions from Railway Minister Piyush Goyal earlier this month, the national carrier incorporated "innovative timetabling" under which running time of popular trains will reduce by 15 minutes to two hours.

The Indian Railways will soon cut short the running time of over 500 long distance trains by up to two hours, a senior railway official said today. The new timings will be updated in the November timetable of the railways, he said. Following directions from Railway Minister Piyush Goyal earlier this month, the national carrier incorporated "innovative timetabling" under which running time of popular trains will reduce by 15 minutes to two hours. The new timetable will also provide each railway division two to four hours for maintenance works. "Our plan is to maximise the use of the existing rolling stock. It can be done in two ways - if we have a train that is waiting somewhere to return, we can use it during the lie over period. "In the new timetable around 50 such trains which will be run like this. Fifty-one trains will immediately see reduced run time from one to three hours. This will go up to more than 500 trains," the official said. The railways has started the exercise of an internal audit through which 50 mail and express trains will be upgraded to super-fast services. This is part of an overhaul of the rail system of increasing the average speed of existing trains, he said. Trains such as the Bhopal-Jodhpur Express will reach 95 minutes early while the Guwahati-Indore Special will complete its 2,330-km journey 115 minutes early and the 1929-km journey of the Ghazipur-Bandra Terminus Express will be completed 95 minutes earlier. The national transporter has also reduced the halt time of trains at stations. Similarly, trains will not stop at stations where footfall is less. Coupled with track and infrastructure upgrade, automatic signalling and the new Linke-Hofmann-Busch coaches that allow a 130 kmph top speed, trains are expected to run faster. The railways has also in the process of reviewing permanent speed restrictions.

500 long distance trains to run quicker from next month

<p>The Indian railway is planning to change its menu.&nbsp;Taking inspiration from the &quot;dry food&quot;&nbsp;served in airlines, the railways is planning to copy its menu card.&nbsp;</p>

<p>About five months back the railways had introduced a committee to work on the menu.</p>

<p>The committee has submitted a report to railway board. The decision of the board may come out soon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report submitted to the committee states that railway passengers will have to modify their food habits&nbsp;according to the new system.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report has suggested that just like the airlines, the railways should also focus on serving dry food.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Railways may also give prominence to ready-to-eat meals, just like the airways.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The new menu will offer food items without gravy. It will also include vegetarian biryani, <em>rajma&nbsp;</em><em>chawal</em>, hakka noodles, <em>pulav</em>, and <em>laddo</em>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report has also indicated that with the change in menu rationalisation is also necessary. The passengers may have to pay more after the new menu is released.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The railways have now made catering optional in all the Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains.</p>

<p>According to recent figures about 20 per cent people have rejected the catering option.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This move will benefit railways to change the onboard menu option in the trains.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As part of its trial, the railways have already started the new catering system in some of its trains like Delhi-Firozpur Shatabdi and Bihar Sampark Kranti.</p>

<p>Within the next 5-6 months, the railways will be ready to implement its new modified system and will introduce the revamped&nbsp;menu in many of its trains, sources state.&nbsp;</p>


A railway committee report suggests that just like the airlines, the railways should also focus on serving dry food

The Indian railway is planning to change its menu. Taking inspiration from the "dry food" served in airlines, the railways is planning to copy its menu card. About five months back the railways had introduced a committee to work on the menu. The committee has submitted a report to railway board. The decision of the board may come out soon. The report submitted to the committee states that railway passengers will have to modify their food habits according to the new system. The report has suggested that just like the airlines, the railways should also focus on serving dry food. Railways may also give prominence to ready-to-eat meals, just like the airways. The new menu will offer food items without gravy. It will also include vegetarian biryani, rajma chawal, hakka noodles, pulav, and laddo. The report has also indicated that with the change in menu rationalisation is also necessary. The passengers may have to pay more after the new menu is released. The railways have now made catering optional in all the Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains. According to recent figures about 20 per cent people have rejected the catering option. This move will benefit railways to change the onboard menu option in the trains. As part of its trial, the railways have already started the new catering system in some of its trains like Delhi-Firozpur Shatabdi and Bihar Sampark Kranti. Within the next 5-6 months, the railways will be ready to implement its new modified system and will introduce the revamped menu in many of its trains, sources state.

Coming soon: Railways set to introduce airline-like food

<p>The death toll from the Mumbai stampede has risen to 23.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>ANI reported that one of the persons injured in the stampede Friday had died from their injuries.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Elphinstone stampede: Death toll increases to 23 as an injured person succumbs to injuries. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mumbai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mumbai</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/914056242351370240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Friday&#39;s stampede on a footover bridge at the Elphinstone Road railway station had resulted in 22 deaths.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Thirty-nine people had been injured.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/15-dead-30-injured-in-stampede-near-mumbais-elphinstone-railway-station-20815" target="_blank">Also read: 22 dead, 39 injured in stampede at Mumbai&#39;s Elphinstone railway station</a></p>

<p>Witnesses to the stampede said the melee had been caused either by a &quot;short circuit and an explosion&quot; or by rumours that part of the bridge was collapsing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Western Railways however&nbsp;blamed the stampede on &quot;unprecedented&quot; rains. It said people had sought shelter from the rains on the FOB, which led to overcrowding and the resultant stampede.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/saw-woman-fall-off-lie-dead-on-the-ground-witnesses-tell-of-mumbai-stampede-horror-20845" target="_blank">Also read -- Saw woman fall off, lie dead on the ground: Witnesses tell of Mumbai stampede horror</a></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


One of the injured from Friday's stampeded died from their injuries

The death toll from the Mumbai stampede has risen to 23. ANI reported that one of the persons injured in the stampede Friday had died from their injuries. Elphinstone stampede: Death toll increases to 23 as an injured person succumbs to injuries. #Mumbai — ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2017 × Friday's stampede on a footover bridge at the Elphinstone Road railway station had resulted in 22 deaths. Thirty-nine people had been injured. Also read: 22 dead, 39 injured in stampede at Mumbai's Elphinstone railway station Witnesses to the stampede said the melee had been caused either by a "short circuit and an explosion" or by rumours that part of the bridge was collapsing. The Western Railways however blamed the stampede on "unprecedented" rains. It said people had sought shelter from the rains on the FOB, which led to overcrowding and the resultant stampede. Also read -- Saw woman fall off, lie dead on the ground: Witnesses tell of Mumbai stampede horror

Mumbai stampede: Death toll rises to 23

<p>A day after the Mumbai stampede that has led to the deaths of 23 people, railway minister Piyush Goyal announced that he had empowered general managers (GMs) of the various railway zones &quot;to spend whatever is necessary on safety&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;To eliminate bureaucracy and delays, I have empowered GMs to spend whatever is necessary on safety,&quot; he tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">To eliminate bureaucracy and delays, I have empowered GMs to spend whatever is necessary on safety.</p>
&mdash; Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/PiyushGoyal/status/914055670235750401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Goyal also announced a raft of other measures.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said additional escalators had been sanctioned for crowded Mumbai suburban stations and thereafter for all high-traffic stations.</p>

<p>And that within the next 15 months, CCTV cameras with a monitoring mechanism would be installed in all Mumbai suburban trains.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Goyal also announced that 200 officers would be relocated from railway headquarters and put to work as field staff to &quot;strengthen ground operations and project implementation&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Additional escalators sanctioned at crowded Mumbai suburban stations and thereafter for all high traffic stations.</p>
&mdash; Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/PiyushGoyal/status/914058079930425345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Within the next 15 months, CCTV cameras in all suburban trains in Mumbai with monitoring mechanism. Parallel work across India.</p>
&mdash; Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/PiyushGoyal/status/914070322164453377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">200 officers to be relocated from Head Quarters as field staff to strengthen ground operations and project implementation.</p>
&mdash; Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/PiyushGoyal/status/914061629645455361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>ANI reported that for the next 18 months, the general managers have been delegated powers without limit for safety-related issues.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It added that they (the GMS) shall intimate the financial commissioner (FC) within a week of sanction any monies, and that the FC shall confirm the same within 15 days.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In case of disagreements, the matter shall be put to the Railway Board for a final decision within the same 15 days.</p>

<p>The decisions were taken at a meeting on railway safety today in Mumbai.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Goyal had yesterday asked&nbsp;railway employees to not celebrate Dussehra on account&nbsp;of the lives lost in the Mumbai stampede.&nbsp;</p>


'To eliminate bureaucracy and delays, I have empowered GMs to spend whatever is necessary on safety,' railway minister Piyush Goyal tweeted

A day after the Mumbai stampede that has led to the deaths of 23 people, railway minister Piyush Goyal announced that he had empowered general managers (GMs) of the various railway zones "to spend whatever is necessary on safety". "To eliminate bureaucracy and delays, I have empowered GMs to spend whatever is necessary on safety," he tweeted. To eliminate bureaucracy and delays, I have empowered GMs to spend whatever is necessary on safety. — Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) September 30, 2017 × Goyal also announced a raft of other measures. He said additional escalators had been sanctioned for crowded Mumbai suburban stations and thereafter for all high-traffic stations. And that within the next 15 months, CCTV cameras with a monitoring mechanism would be installed in all Mumbai suburban trains. Goyal also announced that 200 officers would be relocated from railway headquarters and put to work as field staff to "strengthen ground operations and project implementation". Additional escalators sanctioned at crowded Mumbai suburban stations and thereafter for all high traffic stations. — Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) September 30, 2017 × Within the next 15 months, CCTV cameras in all suburban trains in Mumbai with monitoring mechanism. Parallel work across India. — Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) September 30, 2017 × 200 officers to be relocated from Head Quarters as field staff to strengthen ground operations and project implementation. — Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) September 30, 2017 × ANI reported that for the next 18 months, the general managers have been delegated powers without limit for safety-related issues. It added that they (the GMS) shall intimate the financial commissioner (FC) within a week of sanction any monies, and that the FC shall confirm the same within 15 days. In case of disagreements, the matter shall be put to the Railway Board for a final decision within the same 15 days. The decisions were taken at a meeting on railway safety today in Mumbai. Goyal had yesterday asked railway employees to not celebrate Dussehra on account of the lives lost in the Mumbai stampede.

Railway minister: Have empowered GMs to spend whatever is necessary on safety

<p>US&nbsp;firm General Electric&#39;s plan to build a diesel&nbsp;locomotive&nbsp;factory&nbsp;in eastern&nbsp;India&nbsp;is on&nbsp;track, the railway&nbsp;minister said on Thursday, seeking to allay concerns that the state-controlled network&nbsp;was making changes to the contract.</p>

<p>Piyush Goyal&#39;s comments came after GE said this week that the&nbsp;Indian government&#39;s &quot;Make in India&quot;&nbsp;initiative would be undermined if the railway ministry went ahead with changes to a joint venture with the conglomerate.</p>

<p>GE had won a $2.6 billion contract in 2015 to supply&nbsp;Indian Railways with 1,000 diesel locomotives.</p>

<p>But the railway&nbsp;ministry said last week it wouldn&#39;t need diesel after all - hoping to save on fuel and maintenance costs - and suggested GE might want to make electric engines instead.</p>


Piyush Goyal's comments came after GE said this week that the?Indian government's 'Make in India' initiative would be undermined if the railway ministry went ahead with changes to a joint venture with the conglomerate.

US firm General Electric's plan to build a diesel locomotive factory in eastern India is on track, the railway minister said on Thursday, seeking to allay concerns that the state-controlled network was making changes to the contract. Piyush Goyal's comments came after GE said this week that the Indian government's "Make in India" initiative would be undermined if the railway ministry went ahead with changes to a joint venture with the conglomerate. GE had won a $2.6 billion contract in 2015 to supply Indian Railways with 1,000 diesel locomotives. But the railway ministry said last week it wouldn't need diesel after all - hoping to save on fuel and maintenance costs - and suggested GE might want to make electric engines instead.

India allays concerns, says work on GE's locomotive factory on track

<p>General Electric Co said on Tuesday that the Indian government&#39;s &quot;Make in India&quot;&nbsp;initiative would be undermined if the country&#39;s railway ministry went ahead with changes to a joint venture with the conglomerate.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Any changes to the joint venture will put future foreign investment at risk and cause the government to incur substantial costs, GE said in an emailed statement.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
GE had won a $2.6 billion contract in 2015 to supply Indian Railways with 1,000 diesel locomotives.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The Economic Times newspaper reported last week that the ministry told the company the railways would not require diesel locomotives in the future and offered the American company an option to manufacture electric locomotives at its upcoming factory in the eastern state of Bihar.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Under the deal, GE is also to build two maintenance sheds elsewhere in the country to service the locomotives over an 11-year period.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


General Electric Co said on Tuesday that the Indian government's 'Make in India' initiative would be undermined if the country's railway ministry went ahead with changes to a joint venture with the conglomerate

General Electric Co said on Tuesday that the Indian government's "Make in India" initiative would be undermined if the country's railway ministry went ahead with changes to a joint venture with the conglomerate. Any changes to the joint venture will put future foreign investment at risk and cause the government to incur substantial costs, GE said in an emailed statement. GE had won a $2.6 billion contract in 2015 to supply Indian Railways with 1,000 diesel locomotives. The Economic Times newspaper reported last week that the ministry told the company the railways would not require diesel locomotives in the future and offered the American company an option to manufacture electric locomotives at its upcoming factory in the eastern state of Bihar. Under the deal, GE is also to build two maintenance sheds elsewhere in the country to service the locomotives over an 11-year period.

GE warns railway contract rejig to undermine 'Make in India' drive

<p>In his inaugural address to the BJP Executive Meeting, &nbsp;BJP President Amit Shah slammed Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on dynastic politics.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said that the BJP believes in the politics of performance while Congress follows &quot;politics of appeasement and dynasty&quot;.</p>

<p>During a speech at the University of California at Berkeley Rahul Gandhi defended dynastic politics. He said &ldquo;Dynastic politics is a problem in all political parties. Akhilesh Yadav, Stalin and even actor Abhishek Bachchan are dynasts... So don&rsquo;t go just after me.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Citing the examples of the current president, vice president and prime minister, the BJP chief said that they have reached to their position due of their work.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Amit Shah also&nbsp;claimed that the economy is flourishing well under the present government than compared to how it was under the UPA government. He presented figures to substantiate his claims.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The party president also appreciated the government&#39;s response to the handling of Naxalism and terrorism. He said&nbsp;more terrorists were killed during the last three years than any other spell of three years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He attacked the TMC government in West Bengal and the Left in Kerala for the&nbsp;alleged political violence on BJP workers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The&nbsp;event was followed by Union Minister Piyush Goyal&#39;s address in which he said his party was relentlessly working&nbsp;in the interest of the people.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Referring to the latest verbal attacks by Congress Vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Goyal said that Gandhi has been undermining the country for which he has received a befitting reply from the Amit Shah.&nbsp;He said he was confident that BJP will register a &quot;historic win&quot;&nbsp;in the upcoming Gujarat polls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added that the party leader Amit Shah will hold a <em>padyatra</em>&nbsp;(journey by road) &nbsp;in Kerala from October 3-17, to connect with the people.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash">#Visuals</a> from BJP National Executive Meet in Delhi <a href="https://t.co/slrL5L15gZ">pic.twitter.com/slrL5L15gZ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912182725737455616">September 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Govt is relentlessly working in the interests of the poor: Union Minister Piyush Goyal during BJP National Executive meet <a href="https://t.co/x4xENKwQIx">pic.twitter.com/x4xENKwQIx</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912207510890672128">September 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Amit Shah ji said that from October 3-17 BJP workers will do a &#39;padyatra&#39; in Kerala and connect with the people: Piyush Goyal</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912207725957832704">September 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rahul Gandhi ji has been undermining India these days, Amit Shah ji gave a befitting reply with facts: Piyush Goyal on BJP Natl Exec meet <a href="https://t.co/VEuFUtNKLh">pic.twitter.com/VEuFUtNKLh</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912208440197496833">September 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Amit Shah ji ne kaha vanshvaad Congress ki sanskriti hai: Piyush Goyal</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912209871734312960">September 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BJP will register a historic win in upcoming Gujarat polls: Union Minister Piyush Goyal <a href="https://t.co/uW6GdfLoPL">pic.twitter.com/uW6GdfLoPL</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/912213671798960128">September 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p><br />
The two-day BJP National Executive meet in New Delhi, which will conclude&nbsp;today after PM Modi&#39;s address, is being attended by an estimated 2000 party leaders including&nbsp;1400 Members of Legislative Assembly, 337 Members of Parliament, and all Members of Legislative Council.</p>

<p>The meet will trace the political and economic development of the&nbsp;government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It&nbsp;coincides with the 100th birth centenary of independence leader Deen Dayal Upadhyaya.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Amit Shah said the BJP believes in the politics of performance while Congress follows 'politics of appeasement and dynasty'

In his inaugural address to the BJP Executive Meeting, BJP President Amit Shah slammed Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on dynastic politics. He said that the BJP believes in the politics of performance while Congress follows "politics of appeasement and dynasty". During a speech at the University of California at Berkeley Rahul Gandhi defended dynastic politics. He said “Dynastic politics is a problem in all political parties. Akhilesh Yadav, Stalin and even actor Abhishek Bachchan are dynasts... So don’t go just after me.” Citing the examples of the current president, vice president and prime minister, the BJP chief said that they have reached to their position due of their work. Amit Shah also claimed that the economy is flourishing well under the present government than compared to how it was under the UPA government. He presented figures to substantiate his claims. The party president also appreciated the government's response to the handling of Naxalism and terrorism. He said more terrorists were killed during the last three years than any other spell of three years. He attacked the TMC government in West Bengal and the Left in Kerala for the alleged political violence on BJP workers. The event was followed by Union Minister Piyush Goyal's address in which he said his party was relentlessly working in the interest of the people. Referring to the latest verbal attacks by Congress Vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Goyal said that Gandhi has been undermining the country for which he has received a befitting reply from the Amit Shah. He said he was confident that BJP will register a "historic win" in the upcoming Gujarat polls. He added that the party leader Amit Shah will hold a padyatra (journey by road) in Kerala from October 3-17, to connect with the people. #Visuals from BJP National Executive Meet in Delhi pic.twitter.com/slrL5L15gZ — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2017 × The Govt is relentlessly working in the interests of the poor: Union Minister Piyush Goyal during BJP National Executive meet pic.twitter.com/x4xENKwQIx — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2017 × Amit Shah ji said that from October 3-17 BJP workers will do a 'padyatra' in Kerala and connect with the people: Piyush Goyal — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2017 × Rahul Gandhi ji has been undermining India these days, Amit Shah ji gave a befitting reply with facts: Piyush Goyal on BJP Natl Exec meet pic.twitter.com/VEuFUtNKLh — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2017 × Amit Shah ji ne kaha vanshvaad Congress ki sanskriti hai: Piyush Goyal — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2017 × BJP will register a historic win in upcoming Gujarat polls: Union Minister Piyush Goyal pic.twitter.com/uW6GdfLoPL — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2017 × The two-day BJP National Executive meet in New Delhi, which will conclude today after PM Modi's address, is being attended by an estimated 2000 party leaders including 1400 Members of Legislative Assembly, 337 Members of Parliament, and all Members of Legislative Council. The meet will trace the political and economic development of the government. It coincides with the 100th birth centenary of independence leader Deen Dayal Upadhyaya.

At BJP's executive meet, Amit Shah takes potshots at Rahul Gandhi for defending dynasty politics

<p>A coach of Agra-Gwalior passenger train was derailed near Agra Cantt early morning on Saturday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>No reports of injuries were received. (<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/engine-of-goods-train-derails-in-uttar-pradesh-20373">Also Read: Engine of goods train derails in Uttar Pradesh</a>)</p>

<p>There was no passenger on board the train which was going for the morning wash, reports quoted a coolie as saying.</p>

<p>(<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/utkal-express-derailment-fourth-big-train-accident-in-past-year-investigation-begins-19218">Also Read:</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/utkal-express-derailment-fourth-big-train-accident-in-past-year-investigation-begins-19218"> &nbsp;Utkal Express derailment fourth big train accident in past year, investigation begins</a>)</p>

<p>This is yet another addition to the series of train derailments in India and especially in Uttar Pradesh in the past few months.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


A coach of Agra-Gwalior passenger train derailed near Agra Cantt early morning on Saturday

A coach of Agra-Gwalior passenger train was derailed near Agra Cantt early morning on Saturday. No reports of injuries were received. (Also Read: Engine of goods train derails in Uttar Pradesh) There was no passenger on board the train which was going for the morning wash, reports quoted a coolie as saying. (Also Read: Utkal Express derailment fourth big train accident in past year, investigation begins) This is yet another addition to the series of train derailments in India and especially in Uttar Pradesh in the past few months.

Passenger train derails in Agra, no injuries reported

<p>The engine of a goods train derailed Tuesday morning near Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh.</p>

<p>The engine of a passenger train -- Burhwal-Balamau -- had derailed at the same spot yesterday.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">UP: Engine of a goods train derails near Sitapur. Burhwal-Balamau passenger train engine also derailed at the same spot yesterday <a href="https://t.co/6cf4pzGscE">pic.twitter.com/6cf4pzGscE</a></p>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/909982148685209601">September 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>There has been a spate of train accidents in recent months, with the accidents causing former railway minister Suresh Prabhu to lose his job.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prabhu is now minister of commerce and industry.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While Rail Bhawan is now headed by Piyush Goyal.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/three-train-derailments-in-1-day-fourth-accident-narrowly-averted-19978" target="_blank">Also Read: Three train derailments in 1 day, fourth accident narrowly-averted</a></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The engine of a passenger train -- Burhwal-Balamau -- had derailed at the same spot yesterday

The engine of a goods train derailed Tuesday morning near Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh. The engine of a passenger train -- Burhwal-Balamau -- had derailed at the same spot yesterday. UP: Engine of a goods train derails near Sitapur. Burhwal-Balamau passenger train engine also derailed at the same spot yesterday pic.twitter.com/6cf4pzGscE — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 19, 2017 × There has been a spate of train accidents in recent months, with the accidents causing former railway minister Suresh Prabhu to lose his job. Prabhu is now minister of commerce and industry. While Rail Bhawan is now headed by Piyush Goyal. Also Read: Three train derailments in 1 day, fourth accident narrowly-averted

Engine of goods train derails in Uttar Pradesh

<p>There were a total of three train derailments on on Thursday. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The third train to derail was a goods train.</p>

<p>ANI reported that two coaches of a goods train derailed in Khandala.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Maharashtra: 2 coaches of a goods train derailed near Khandala. More details awaited. <a href="https://t.co/KtS9xgm6Xx">pic.twitter.com/KtS9xgm6Xx</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/905761985500815360">September 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The first train that derailed on Thursday was the Jabalpur-bound Shaktipunj Express -- it was travelling from Howrah -- which derailed&nbsp;near Sonbhadra in Uttar Pradesh.</p>

<p>The derailment happened at around 6:25 am, with seven coaches jump off the tracks.</p>

<p>No injuries were reported.</p>

<p>Rail traffic however was disrupted.</p>

<p>The second derailment of the New Delhi-Ranchi Rajdhani took place at about 11:45 am near Delhi&#39;s Shivaji Bridge.&nbsp;</p>

<p>ANI reported that the engine and power car of the train jumped off the tracks.</p>

<p>One person was reported injured.</p>

<p>PTI reported officials saying that an accident was averted after locals spotted a fracture in a track between Farrukhabad and Fatehgarh in UP, minutes before the Kalindi Express was scheduled to pass.</p>

<p>It added that the mishaps occurred, ironcially, on a day the new railway minister Piyush Goyal chaired a high-level meeting with Railway Board officials to discuss ways to ensure the safe operation of trains.</p>

<p>There have been a spate of train accidents recently.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The accidents had led to former union railway minister Suresh Prabhu being shunted out of his job.&nbsp;He is now minister of commerce and industry.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8dierGusPqk" width="560"></iframe><br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


There were a total of three train derailments on on Thursday. The third train to derail was a goods train. ANI reported that two coaches of a goods train derailed in Khandala. Maharashtra: 2 coaches of a goods train derailed near Khandala. More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/KtS9xgm6Xx — ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2017 × The first train that derailed on Thursday was the Jabalpur-bound Shaktipunj Express -- it was travelling from Howrah -- which derailed near Sonbhadra in Uttar Pradesh. The derailment happened at around 6:25 am, with seven coaches jump off the tracks. No injuries were reported. Rail traffic however was disrupted. The second derailment of the New Delhi-Ranchi Rajdhani took place at about 11:45 am near Delhi's Shivaji Bridge. ANI reported that the engine and power car of the train jumped off the tracks. One person was reported injured. PTI reported officials saying that an accident was averted after locals spotted a fracture in a track between Farrukhabad and Fatehgarh in UP, minutes before the Kalindi Express was scheduled to pass. It added that the mishaps occurred, ironcially, on a day the new railway minister Piyush Goyal chaired a high-level meeting with Railway Board officials to discuss ways to ensure the safe operation of trains. There have been a spate of train accidents recently. The accidents had led to former union railway minister Suresh Prabhu being shunted out of his job. He is now minister of commerce and industry.

Three train derailments in 1 day, fourth accident narrowly-averted

<p>Third reshuffle of the Union Cabinet, being termed the last one before the General Elections of 2019, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday promoted sincere and hardworking ministers, inducted new faces with potential and talent to work and silently dumped all those who proved to be the non performing and could not come up to the level of the Prime Minister&#39;s expectation.</p>

<p>The cabinet reshuffle has been guided by the &quot;4P&quot; principle: &quot;passion, proficiency, professional and political acumen&quot;, aimed at delivering on Modi&#39;s vision of &quot;New India&quot; by 2022, the 75th anniversary of India&#39;s independence-an idea he had first flagged in March in an address to party workers at the BJP&#39;s headquarters in Delhi.</p>

<p>Here is the overall round up of what happened in Sunday&#39;s reshuffle.</p>

<p>Three Top Changes</p>

<p>The &#39;Three Top Changes&#39; made by Prime Minister Modi during this reshuffle of Union Council of Ministers were:</p>

<p>One - elevating Nirmala Sitharaman to Cabinet rank and giving her the key Portfolio of Defence Ministry.</p>

<p>Two - Suresh Prabhu shifted from Railways to Commerce and Industry Ministry.</p>

<p>Three - Piyush Goyal was given the Cabinet rank with Railways as his portfolio.</p>

<p>Nine New Ministers</p>

<p>In continuance of his track record of identifying his fellow team members on the merit of their past Performance and future Potential, the new ministers have been selected by the Prime Minister with a clear mandate to deliver on his vision of a New India. A vision which is built on the foundations of Development and Good Governance, and with a focus on the Garib, Shoshit, Peedit and Vanchit segments of our society.</p>

<p>These nine new ministers are:</p>

<p>Shiv Pratap Shukla</p>

<p>Shukla is a Rajya Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh. He is a Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development. A Law Graduate with an LLB from Gorakhpur University, Shiv Pratap Shukla started off early in politics as a student leader in the 1970s.</p>

<p>Ashwini Kumar Choubey</p>

<p>Choubey is a Lok Sabha MP from Buxar, Bihar. He is member of the Parliamentary Committee on Estimates and Standing Committee on Energy.He is also a Member of Central Silk Board.</p>

<p>Having faced the disastrous Kedarnath floods with his family in 2013, Ashwini Kumar Choubey has authored a book KedarnathTrasadi on the tragedy. A BSc (Hons) in Zoology, he has a special interest in Yoga.</p>

<p>Virendra Kumar</p>

<p>Kumar is a Lok Sabha MP from Tikamgah, Madhya Pradesh. He has had a distinguished career in Public Service as a 6 term Lok Sabha MP. Highly qualified academically, VirendraKumar is armed with an MA in Economics and a PhD in Child Labour.</p>

<p>Anantkumar Hegde</p>

<p>Hegde is a Lok Sabha MP from Uttara Kannada, Karnataka. He is a Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on ExternalAffairs and Human Resource Development.</p>

<p>With a deep focus on rural India, Hegde is the Founder President ofKadamba, an NGO working in the field of rural development, rural health, SHGs, rural marketing and other rural welfare programmes.</p>

<p>Raj Kumar Singh</p>

<p>Singh is a Lok Sabha MP from Arrah, Bihar. He is a Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committees on Health and Family Welfare, Personnel, Pensions and Public Grievances and Law &amp; Justice. Raj Kumar Singh is a former IAS officer of the 1975 batch, Bihar cadre. He rose up the ranks to become the Home Secretary of India.</p>

<p>Hardeep Puri</p>

<p>Puri is a decorated former IFS officer of the 1974 batch, known forhis experience and expertise in foreign policy and national security. He is the President and Chairman of Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) think tank, and was the Vice President of International Peace Institute, New York.</p>

<p>As Head of the Indian Delegation to the UN Security Council, Puri had served as Chairman of the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the UN as well as President of the United Nations Security Council.</p>

<p>Gajendra Singh Shekhawat</p>

<p>Shekhawat is a Lok Sabha MP from Jodhpur, Rajasthan. He is a Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance and Chairperson of the Fellowship Committee.</p>

<p>As a technology-savvy, progressive farmer; Shekhawat is a role model for the rural community. He has an MPhil &amp; MA in Philosophy from Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur.</p>

<p>Satya Pal Singh</p>

<p>Singh is a Lok Sabha MP from Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh. He is a Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs and Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Offices of Profit. He is a distinguished former IPS officer of the 1980 batch, Maharashtra cadre, and has been recognized with medals like the Antrik Suraksha Sewa Padak a Special Service Medal. Born in Basauli village in Baghpat, Satya Pal Singh has a MSc and MPhil in Chemistry, MBA in Strategic Management from Australia, MA in Public.</p>

<p>Alphons Kannanthanam</p>

<p>Kannanthanam is a distinguished former IAS officer of the 1979 batch, Kerala cadre. He is also a practicing advocate. He became famous as Delhi&#39;s Demolition Man when he was Commissioner of the Delhi Development Authority, having cleared DDA areas of encroachment removing around 15,000 illegal buildings. This got him listed in Time Magazine&#39;s list of 100 Young Global Leaders in 1994. Kannanthanam retired from the IAS, to get elected as an Independent Member of Legislative Assembly for Kanjirappally in Kerala from 2006 to 2011.</p>

<p>The Six Dropped Ministers</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi also dropped six ministers from his council of ministers in Sunday&#39;s reshuffle.</p>

<p>Those dropped are Kalraj Mishra, Bandaru Dattatreya, Faggan Singh Kulaste, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Sanjiv Balyan and Mahendra Nath Pandey.</p>

<p>Kalraj Mishra- Mishra was Cabinet minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.</p>

<p>Bandaru Dattatreya- Dattatreya was Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Labour and Employment.</p>

<p>Faggan Singh Kulaste- Kulaste was Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare.</p>

<p>Rajiv Pratap Rudy- Rudy was Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.</p>

<p>Sanjiv Balyan- Balyan was Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development &amp; Ganga Rejuvenation.</p>

<p>Mahendra Nath Pandey- Pandey was a junior minister for Human Resource Development.</p>

<p>Apart from Pandey, who has been appointed Bharatiya Janata Party&#39;s Uttar Pradesh unit&#39;s president, it is believed that others were dropped due to non-satisfactory performance. However, Mishra, claimed he himself offered to resign as he crossed age of 75 years.</p>

<p>New Cabinet of Prime Minister Modi</p>

<p>After Sunday&#39;s reshuffle, here is the list of new Cabinet of Prime Minister Modi:</p>

<p>Cabinet Ministers</p>

<p>Narendra Modi- Prime Minister and also in-charge of: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Department of Atomic Energy; Department of Space; and all important policy issues; and all other portfolios not allocated to any Minister.</p>

<p>Raj Nath Singh- Minister of Home Affairs.</p>

<p>Sushma Swaraj- Minister of External Affairs.</p>

<p>Arun Jaitley- Minister of Finance; and Minister of Corporate Affairs.</p>

<p>Nitin Jairam Gadkari- Minister of Road Transport and Highways; Minister of Shipping; and Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.</p>

<p>Suresh Prabhu- Minister of Commerce and Industry.</p>

<p>D.V. Sadananda Gowda- Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation.</p>

<p>Uma Bharati- Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation.</p>

<p>Ramvilas Paswan- Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.</p>

<p>Maneka Sanjay Gandhi- Minister of Women and Child Development.</p>

<p>Ananthkumar- Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers; and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.</p>

<p>Ravi Shankar Prasad- Minister of Law and Justice; and Minister of Electronics and Information Technology.</p>

<p>Jagat Prakash Nadda- Minister of Health and Family Welfare.</p>

<p>Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati- Minister of Civil Aviation.</p>

<p>Anant Geete- Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.</p>

<p>Harsimrat Kaur Badal- Minister of Food Processing Industries.</p>

<p>Narendra Singh Tomar- Minister of Rural Development; Minister of Panchayati Raj; and Minister of Mines.</p>

<p>Chaudhary Birender Singh- Minister of Steel.</p>

<p>Jual Oram- Minister of Tribal Affairs.</p>

<p>Radha Mohan Singh- Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.</p>

<p>Thaawar Chand Gehlot- Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment.</p>

<p>Smriti Zubin Irani- Minister of Textiles; and Minister of Information and Broadcasting.</p>

<p>Dr. Harsh Vardhan- Minister of Science and Technology; Minister of Earth Sciences; and Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.</p>

<p>Prakash Javadekar- Minister of Human Resource Development.</p>

<p>Dharmendra Pradhan- Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas; and Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.</p>

<p>Piyush Goyal- Minister of Railways; and Minister of Coal.</p>

<p>Nirmala Sitharaman- Minister of Defence.</p>

<p>Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi- Minister of Minority Affairs.</p>

<p>Ministers of State (Independent Charge)</p>

<p>Rao Inderjit Singh- Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Planning; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.</p>

<p>Santosh Kumar Gangwar- Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.</p>

<p>Shripad Yesso Naik- Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH).</p>

<p>Dr. Jitendra Singh- Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region; Minister of State in the Prime Minister&#39;s Office; Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy; and Minister of State in the Department of Space.</p>

<p>Dr. Mahesh Sharma- Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Culture; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.</p>

<p>Giriraj Singh- Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.</p>

<p>Manoj Sinha- Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Communications; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways.</p>

<p>Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore- Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.</p>

<p>Raj Kumar Singh- Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Power; and Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.</p>

<p>Hardeep Singh Puri- Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.</p>

<p>Alphons Kannanthanam- Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Tourism; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.</p>

<p>Ministers of State</p>

<p>Vijay Goel- Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.</p>

<p>Radhakrishnan P.- Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Shipping.</p>

<p>S.S. Ahluwalia- Minister of State in the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.</p>

<p>Ramesh Chandappa Jigajinagi- Minister of State in the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.</p>

<p>Ramdas Athawale- Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.</p>

<p>Vishnu Deo Sai- Minister of State in the Ministry of Steel.</p>

<p>Ram Kripal Yadav- Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Development.</p>

<p>Hansraj Gangaram Ahir- Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs.</p>

<p>Haribhai Parthibhai Chaudhary- Minister of State in the Ministry of Mines; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Coal.</p>

<p>Rajen Gohain- Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways.</p>

<p>General (Retd.) V. K. Singh- Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs.</p>

<p>Parshottam Rupala- Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.</p>

<p>Krishan Pal- Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.</p>

<p>Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor- Minister of State in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.</p>

<p>Shiv Pratap Shukla- Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance.</p>

<p>Ashwini Kumar Choubey- Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.</p>

<p>Sudarshan Bhagat- Minister of State in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.</p>

<p>Upendra Kushwaha- Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Resource Development.</p>

<p>Kiren Rijiju- Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs.</p>

<p>Dr. Virendra Kumar- Minister of State in the Ministry of Women and Child Development; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Minority Affairs.</p>

<p>Anantkumar Hegde- Minister of State in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.</p>

<p>M. J. Akbar- Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs.</p>

<p>Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti- Minister of State in the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.</p>

<p>Y. S. Chowdary- Minister of State in the Ministry of Science and Technology; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Earth Sciences.</p>

<p>Jayant Sinha- Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.</p>

<p>Babul Supriyo- Minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.</p>

<p>Vijay Sampla- Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.</p>

<p>Arjun Ram Meghwal- Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.</p>

<p>Ajay Tamta- Minister of State in the Ministry of Textiles.</p>

<p>Krishna Raj- Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.</p>

<p>Mansukh L. Mandaviya- Minister of State in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways; Minister of State in the Ministry of Shipping; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.</p>

<p>Anupriya Patel- Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.</p>

<p>C.R. Chaudhary- Minister of State in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.</p>

<p>P.P. Chaudhary- Minister of State in the Ministry of Law and Justice; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.</p>

<p>Dr. Subhash Ramrao Bhamre- Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence.</p>

<p>Gajendra Singh Shekhawat- Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.</p>

<p>Dr. Satya Pal Singh- Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Resource Development; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.&nbsp;</p>


Four ministers were elevated to Cabinet rank in Sunday's reshuffle, and nine new people were inducted into the council of ministers

Third reshuffle of the Union Cabinet, being termed the last one before the General Elections of 2019, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday promoted sincere and hardworking ministers, inducted new faces with potential and talent to work and silently dumped all those who proved to be the non performing and could not come up to the level of the Prime Minister's expectation. The cabinet reshuffle has been guided by the "4P" principle: "passion, proficiency, professional and political acumen", aimed at delivering on Modi's vision of "New India" by 2022, the 75th anniversary of India's independence-an idea he had first flagged in March in an address to party workers at the BJP's headquarters in Delhi. Here is the overall round up of what happened in Sunday's reshuffle. Three Top Changes The 'Three Top Changes' made by Prime Minister Modi during this reshuffle of Union Council of Ministers were: One - elevating Nirmala Sitharaman to Cabinet rank and giving her the key Portfolio of Defence Ministry. Two - Suresh Prabhu shifted from Railways to Commerce and Industry Ministry. Three - Piyush Goyal was given the Cabinet rank with Railways as his portfolio. Nine New Ministers In continuance of his track record of identifying his fellow team members on the merit of their past Performance and future Potential, the new ministers have been selected by the Prime Minister with a clear mandate to deliver on his vision of a New India. A vision which is built on the foundations of Development and Good Governance, and with a focus on the Garib, Shoshit, Peedit and Vanchit segments of our society. These nine new ministers are: Shiv Pratap Shukla Shukla is a Rajya Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh. He is a Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development. A Law Graduate with an LLB from Gorakhpur University, Shiv Pratap Shukla started off early in politics as a student leader in the 1970s. Ashwini Kumar Choubey Choubey is a Lok Sabha MP from Buxar, Bihar. He is member of the Parliamentary Committee on Estimates and Standing Committee on Energy.He is also a Member of Central Silk Board. Having faced the disastrous Kedarnath floods with his family in 2013, Ashwini Kumar Choubey has authored a book KedarnathTrasadi on the tragedy. A BSc (Hons) in Zoology, he has a special interest in Yoga. Virendra Kumar Kumar is a Lok Sabha MP from Tikamgah, Madhya Pradesh. He has had a distinguished career in Public Service as a 6 term Lok Sabha MP. Highly qualified academically, VirendraKumar is armed with an MA in Economics and a PhD in Child Labour. Anantkumar Hegde Hegde is a Lok Sabha MP from Uttara Kannada, Karnataka. He is a Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on ExternalAffairs and Human Resource Development. With a deep focus on rural India, Hegde is the Founder President ofKadamba, an NGO working in the field of rural development, rural health, SHGs, rural marketing and other rural welfare programmes. Raj Kumar Singh Singh is a Lok Sabha MP from Arrah, Bihar. He is a Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committees on Health and Family Welfare, Personnel, Pensions and Public Grievances and Law & Justice. Raj Kumar Singh is a former IAS officer of the 1975 batch, Bihar cadre. He rose up the ranks to become the Home Secretary of India. Hardeep Puri Puri is a decorated former IFS officer of the 1974 batch, known forhis experience and expertise in foreign policy and national security. He is the President and Chairman of Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) think tank, and was the Vice President of International Peace Institute, New York. As Head of the Indian Delegation to the UN Security Council, Puri had served as Chairman of the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the UN as well as President of the United Nations Security Council. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Shekhawat is a Lok Sabha MP from Jodhpur, Rajasthan. He is a Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance and Chairperson of the Fellowship Committee. As a technology-savvy, progressive farmer; Shekhawat is a role model for the rural community. He has an MPhil & MA in Philosophy from Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur. Satya Pal Singh Singh is a Lok Sabha MP from Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh. He is a Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs and Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Offices of Profit. He is a distinguished former IPS officer of the 1980 batch, Maharashtra cadre, and has been recognized with medals like the Antrik Suraksha Sewa Padak a Special Service Medal. Born in Basauli village in Baghpat, Satya Pal Singh has a MSc and MPhil in Chemistry, MBA in Strategic Management from Australia, MA in Public. Alphons Kannanthanam Kannanthanam is a distinguished former IAS officer of the 1979 batch, Kerala cadre. He is also a practicing advocate. He became famous as Delhi's Demolition Man when he was Commissioner of the Delhi Development Authority, having cleared DDA areas of encroachment removing around 15,000 illegal buildings. This got him listed in Time Magazine's list of 100 Young Global Leaders in 1994. Kannanthanam retired from the IAS, to get elected as an Independent Member of Legislative Assembly for Kanjirappally in Kerala from 2006 to 2011. The Six Dropped Ministers Prime Minister Narendra Modi also dropped six ministers from his council of ministers in Sunday's reshuffle. Those dropped are Kalraj Mishra, Bandaru Dattatreya, Faggan Singh Kulaste, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Sanjiv Balyan and Mahendra Nath Pandey. Kalraj Mishra- Mishra was Cabinet minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Bandaru Dattatreya- Dattatreya was Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Labour and Employment. Faggan Singh Kulaste- Kulaste was Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare. Rajiv Pratap Rudy- Rudy was Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Sanjiv Balyan- Balyan was Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation. Mahendra Nath Pandey- Pandey was a junior minister for Human Resource Development. Apart from Pandey, who has been appointed Bharatiya Janata Party's Uttar Pradesh unit's president, it is believed that others were dropped due to non-satisfactory performance. However, Mishra, claimed he himself offered to resign as he crossed age of 75 years. New Cabinet of Prime Minister Modi After Sunday's reshuffle, here is the list of new Cabinet of Prime Minister Modi: Cabinet Ministers Narendra Modi- Prime Minister and also in-charge of: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Department of Atomic Energy; Department of Space; and all important policy issues; and all other portfolios not allocated to any Minister. Raj Nath Singh- Minister of Home Affairs. Sushma Swaraj- Minister of External Affairs. Arun Jaitley- Minister of Finance; and Minister of Corporate Affairs. Nitin Jairam Gadkari- Minister of Road Transport and Highways; Minister of Shipping; and Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. Suresh Prabhu- Minister of Commerce and Industry. D.V. Sadananda Gowda- Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Uma Bharati- Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation. Ramvilas Paswan- Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi- Minister of Women and Child Development. Ananthkumar- Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers; and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. Ravi Shankar Prasad- Minister of Law and Justice; and Minister of Electronics and Information Technology. Jagat Prakash Nadda- Minister of Health and Family Welfare. Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati- Minister of Civil Aviation. Anant Geete- Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. Harsimrat Kaur Badal- Minister of Food Processing Industries. Narendra Singh Tomar- Minister of Rural Development; Minister of Panchayati Raj; and Minister of Mines. Chaudhary Birender Singh- Minister of Steel. Jual Oram- Minister of Tribal Affairs. Radha Mohan Singh- Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Thaawar Chand Gehlot- Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment. Smriti Zubin Irani- Minister of Textiles; and Minister of Information and Broadcasting. Dr. Harsh Vardhan- Minister of Science and Technology; Minister of Earth Sciences; and Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Prakash Javadekar- Minister of Human Resource Development. Dharmendra Pradhan- Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas; and Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Piyush Goyal- Minister of Railways; and Minister of Coal. Nirmala Sitharaman- Minister of Defence. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi- Minister of Minority Affairs. Ministers of State (Independent Charge) Rao Inderjit Singh- Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Planning; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. Santosh Kumar Gangwar- Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Shripad Yesso Naik- Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH). Dr. Jitendra Singh- Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region; Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office; Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy; and Minister of State in the Department of Space. Dr. Mahesh Sharma- Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Culture; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Giriraj Singh- Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Manoj Sinha- Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Communications; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways. Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore- Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Raj Kumar Singh- Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Power; and Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Hardeep Singh Puri- Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Alphons Kannanthanam- Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Tourism; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Ministers of State Vijay Goel- Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Radhakrishnan P.- Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Shipping. S.S. Ahluwalia- Minister of State in the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. Ramesh Chandappa Jigajinagi- Minister of State in the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. Ramdas Athawale- Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Vishnu Deo Sai- Minister of State in the Ministry of Steel. Ram Kripal Yadav- Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Development. Hansraj Gangaram Ahir- Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs. Haribhai Parthibhai Chaudhary- Minister of State in the Ministry of Mines; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Coal. Rajen Gohain- Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways. General (Retd.) V. K. Singh- Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs. Parshottam Rupala- Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. Krishan Pal- Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor- Minister of State in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Shiv Pratap Shukla- Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance. Ashwini Kumar Choubey- Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Sudarshan Bhagat- Minister of State in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Upendra Kushwaha- Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Resource Development. Kiren Rijiju- Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs. Dr. Virendra Kumar- Minister of State in the Ministry of Women and Child Development; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Minority Affairs. Anantkumar Hegde- Minister of State in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. M. J. Akbar- Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti- Minister of State in the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. Y. S. Chowdary- Minister of State in the Ministry of Science and Technology; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Jayant Sinha- Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Babul Supriyo- Minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. Vijay Sampla- Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Arjun Ram Meghwal- Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. Ajay Tamta- Minister of State in the Ministry of Textiles. Krishna Raj- Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Mansukh L. Mandaviya- Minister of State in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways; Minister of State in the Ministry of Shipping; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. Anupriya Patel- Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. C.R. Chaudhary- Minister of State in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. P.P. Chaudhary- Minister of State in the Ministry of Law and Justice; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Dr. Subhash Ramrao Bhamre- Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat- Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Dr. Satya Pal Singh- Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Resource Development; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

Everything you need to know about reshuffle no. 3 of Narendra Modi's Cabinet

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