MP Sanajaoba demands a tentative date for trains to Imphal

Last Updated on July 25, 2023 by SPN Editor

Manipur Rajya Sabha MP Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba demands the exact time for trains to Imphal and the completion of the Jiribam to Imphal railways under the North East Frontier Railways projects in the Upper House of the Parliament yesterday.

Demanding the tentative date for the trains to Imphal, MP Sanajaoba asked the reasons for not completing the projects on the proposed time frame. He also asked for the reservation for Manipuri in the recruitment of railway staff for the Silchar-Imphal sector.

The Manipur MP Sanajaoba demands to confirm the percentage of reservations of the Manipuri in the recruitment process. Sanajaoba further asked the Railway Ministry for the provision of introducing the fastest trains like Vande Bharat in the Northeast region, including Manipur.

The questions raised by MP Sanajaoba were replied on the 4th day of the ongoing Budget session of the Parliament by Ashwini Vaishnawna, Minister of Railways, Communication and Electronics and Information Technology. Replying to the questions, the Minister told the House that the 111 km long new line project from Jiribam to Imphal was implemented to connect Imphal to the Indian Railway network.

The total project cost of Rs 14,323 crores was sanctioned, out of which Rs 12,371 cores was spent till the last fiscal year 2022. Another Rs 1000 crores outlay funds have been sanctioned for the current fiscal year 2022-2023.

The Minister further said that the 55 km length from Jiribam to Khongsang has been completed and commissioned to be operational. To expedite the completion of Railway projects, the State government’s role of providing lands through acquisition, and clearance from the forest and several other stakeholders must be required.

Ashwini added, “Besides, the topographical and geological conditions and the existing law and orders are hampering the smooth completion of the projects. However, the Construction is in full swing to complete the projects as early as possible.”

With regards to the vacancies in the Silchar-Imphal sector, Ashwini clarified that the recruiting agency of the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) is Pan India in nature. The job vacancies must be open and advertised to every eligible Indian citizen. The recruitment is conducted without the domicile and there is no preference for relaxation of jobs depending upon the region wise.

The existing norms for recruitment are based on the fact that every citizen has the opportunity to get benefits in the Central government employment. Violations of these norms will be against the Constitutional provisions.

Indian Railways do not provide service based on region or state interest. Meanwhile, the possibility of operating the Vande Bharat express train service is in the process of considering depending on certain criteria like operational feasibility, resource availability, and traffic justification.

MP Sanajaoba also raised the issue of fake Aadhaar cards. He raised the rampant reports of fake Aadhaar cards in the Northeast region and the steps taken up to prevent it.

Replying to MP Sanajaoba’s question on fake Aadhaar card scams, the Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrashekhar reiterates that the Aadhaar system is one of the most secure systems so far. As per section 3 of the Aadhaar Act of 2016, every eligible Indian citizen is provided a Digital Identity.

As per section 4(3) of the Aadhaar Act 2016, every Aadhaar card holder must verify and authenticate their own identity through offline verification voluntarily (physically or in electronic form). The QR code present in the Aadhaarletter, E Aadhaar, or Aadhaar PVC card can be scanned and verified through the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). This facility is found on the UIDAI website or mAadhaar apps.

If there are reports of fake Aadhaar cards, then law enforcement agencies will take action under the IPC and other statute sections to punish the culprits.