Press statement issued by BJP National Spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain

 

 

Press Statement by Senior BJP leader & National Spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain

 

Response to the Congress Party Press Briefing by Abhishek Manu Singhvi

None of the deaths which have happened in Shramik Special Trains have been caused by hunger or starvation as per the post mortem reports. Natural Deaths have occurred on the trains in the past too but the manner in which unfortunate deaths of Shramiks have been politicised is unprecedented without waiting to know about the exact cause of deaths.

○   Dashrath Prajapati a 30 year old man at Manduadih Station was suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease.

○   Ram Ratan Ground, 63 Year old was a Divyang since childhood and his condition was deteriorating as per the video statement given by his family member.

○   Ibrar Ahmed as per postmortem report, death of passenger was due to brain stroke and not due to dehydration.

○   Arbina Khatoon was suffering from pre-existing mental ailment as per the statement of her relative.

The Ministry of Railways is bearing 85% of the total cost of getting the migrants back to their home states. The remaining 15% is charged as the fare from the State Governments. The Solicitor General also said the same in the Supreme Court when asked who will pay the fare which is covered by the state. The remaining 85% cost is paid by the Government of India through Railways.

●   Fare Rationale: Indian Railway on an average gives 43% subsidy on the travel cost. Additionally for Shramik Special the cost borne by the Central Government increases further. The cause for increase in cost is due to vacancy in train berths as a result of  social distancing norms, and cost arising due to the train returning empty in return journey. This is despite not counting other costs like food, security, etc. Thus, the cost for Indian Railways is approximately 85% owing to these special measures. Indian Railways, is thus recovering only a miniscule part of the fare and absorbing the remaining approximately 85% cost of running the Shramik Special trains, in national interest and in service of the people of India in these difficult times due to the pandemic. It is a blatant lie to say that migrants are being charged for tickets by the Central Govt. Indian Railways has not charged a single paisa from any migrants across the country and is bearing 85% of the cost and asked the State Govt to bear a nominal 15% cost of the fare.

●   Shramik special trains are being supplied with multiple meals and adequate drinking water. Over 1.5 Crore meals and 2 Crore packaged water bottles have been provided by Railways free of cost

●   Indian Railways operationalized 4197 “Shramik Special” trains till 3rd June, 2020 across the country and transported more than 58 lacs passengers to their home states through “Shramik Special” trains since May 1

●     Few trains diverted, during 20th - 24th May, due to sudden surge in demand and congestion of the normal routes for these trains as 80% trains were going to UP & Bihar

○     More than 98% of Shramik Special Trains ran on their scheduled route

○     Only 71 trains were diverted which is 1.75 % of the total trains run by Railways

○   Shramik Special Train run faster than any Super Fast Trains which run on normal days

●   Railways has also issued a public appeal requesting people suffering from pre existing medical conditions, pregnant women, persons above 65 years of age and children below the age of 10 years to avoid travel by train.

●   We are not here to do petty politics. Government believes in tackling the problems head on, and addressing it.

 

(Mahendra Pandey)

Office Secretary