Rajya Sabha MP and senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party Subramanian Swamy slammed the Narendra Modi led government for charging migrant workers for railway tickets. He further said that the funds should come from the PM CARES fund if need be.
According to an order issued by the Railway Ministry, the ‘Shramik Special’ trains that are deployed to help stranded people reach their homes will charge the state governments. The fare likely would include the cost of sleeper class ticket, a superfast charge of 30 rupees, and 20 rupees for meals and water for one passenger.
Subramanian Swamy took to the social media platform Twitter and wrote,
“How moronic of the government of India to charge steep rail fares from the half-starved migrant laborers! Indians stranded abroad were brought back free by Air India. If Railways refuse to budge then why not make PM CARES pay instead.”
How moronic of the Government of India to charge steep rail fares from the half starved migrant labourers! Indians stranded abroad were brought back free by Air India. If Railways refuse to budge then why not make PM CARES pay instead?
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) May 4, 2020
The railways further clarified that the Shramik Special trains are meant for ‘nominated people’ identified and registered by the respective state governments. It also said that the railways will not issue any tickets to any individual or any groups.
Already a dozen trains have run on requests
On Monday, Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi slammed the government for charging railway fare for stranded migrants who are longing to return to their homes in the middle of a nationwide lockdown due to the novel coronavirus outbreak. After slamming the government, the Congress President announced that the Indian National Congress would bear the charges of all stranded people. In her statement, she also said that this will be a humble contribution to the compatriots from the Indian National Congress party.
The railways have begun to run the Shramik Special trains to help the stranded laborers to reach their home town from the 1st of May. The railways resumed operation after being suspended for over 40 days. As of now, the railways have run over a dozen Shramik Special trains on the request of state governments. Preventive measures of social distancing, wearing a mask, and screening of people at both departure and arrival will be in place, as per the government’s assurance.
Source: Free Press Journal
