Over Rupees 20000 crore invested in the state

Hubli, Dec 24 (UNI) While asserting that Railways has made over Rupees 20000 crore of capital investment this year for various railway works in Karnataka as against Rupees 15000 crore last year the Union Minister of State for Railways R Velu denied that State was neglected in terms of taking up of developmental works in the state.

Addressing a press conference here today after laying foundation stone for New Hubli railway station complex, Mr Velu said that Indian Railways has made significant investment for developmental works in Karnataka despite resource constraints.

On the long pending Hubli-Ankola Railway project the minister said that since the issue was before the Supreme Court appointed empower committee to address the issue of environment and forest land was cocnerned the project could not be taken up for implementation waiting for disposal.

Favouring recruitment of locals for the post of 'D' group vacancies in the Railways Mr Velu said that more Biharis were being appointed for these posts as they have got trained in several training institutes which forms less number in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, he said.

'It does not mean that Kannadigas or Tamils are not intelligent.

Only difference is that these people would not work hard like Biharies, who were ready to go to any part of the country and work', Mr Velu added.

Mr Velu while refusing to shift the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) from Bangalore to Hubli and said that there was no praposal before the South Western Railways on the issue. He also indicated for holding RRB examinations on a single day throughout the country.

To another question, Mr Velu informed that still 20 per cent of the total 63,000 Kilometres length of of railway was under meter gauge and steps were being taken up to brought under unigauge programme the left-over portion in the next budget, he said.

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