Migrant labour will go free; Centre to pay 85%, states 15%: Subramanian Swamy 'clarifies'

BJP MP Subramanian Swamy on Monday said that he spoke to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal's Office regarding Railways decision to charge for tickets for operating special trains for stranded migrant workers amid Coronavirus lockdown. Swamy said that Migrant labourers will travel free of cost as government will pay 85% and state government will pay 15% of expenses. He added that Ministry will clarify with an official statement.

'Migrant labour will go free'

Minutes ago tweeting this, Subramanian Swamy had slammed government for charging migrant labourers for train tickets. "How moronic of Government of India to charge steep rail fares from half-starved migrant labourers! Indians stranded abroad were brought back free by Air India. If Railways refuse to budge n why t make PM CARES pay instead?" he tweeted.

Congress says it'll bear train travel cost for migrant workers

This comes after Sonia Gandhi in a statement anunced that party has taken a decision that every Pradesh Congress Committee shall bear cost for rail travel of every needy worker and migrant labourer and shall take necessary steps in this regard. She added that this will be Congress’ "humble contribution in service of our compatriots" and to stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with m.

Sonia Gandhi also attacked Central government by saying that if government can bring back citizens stranded abroad free, why can't it extend same courtesy of free rail travel to migrants.

"Our workers and labourers are ambassadors of our nation’s growth. When our Government can recognise its responsibility by arranging free air travel for our citizens stranded abroad when Government can spend nearly Rs.100 crores on transport and food etc. for just one public programme in Gujarat, when Rail Ministry has largesse to donate Rs. 151 Crores to PM’s Corona fund, n why can’t se essential members of our nation’s fabric be given a fraction of same courtesy, especially free rail travel, at this hour of acute distress?" Congress President said.

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Here is Sonia Gandhi's full statement:

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