Centre counters Uddhav's 'not enough Shramik trains' claim; demands migrant list in 1 hour

Seeking details of migrants registered with Maharashtra government, Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, on Sunday, has tweeted at CM Uddhav Thackeray. He informed that on Monday, Railways will operate 125 special Shramik trains. Asking Thackeray to share list of migrants with ir relevant details like - originating and destination stations, number of migrants travelling, medical certificates, Goyal demanded that list be furnished to Centre within an hour.

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Goyal demands list of migrants from Maharashtra

Furrmore, he took a dig at MVA government stating that 'hopefully migrants won't have to return empty-handed, like before'. He reassured that Centre will provide as many trains as required by Maharashtra government. This is in retaliation to Thackeray's claim that Centre was t providing eugh Shramik trains for its 20 lakh registered migrants, who wished to go back home. 

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Thackeray slams Centre on trains

Earlier in day, Thackeray h slammed Centre for t providing eugh trains for migrants to return home inspite of several requests. He said that Centre h t me any arrangements for migrants while imposing nation-wide lockdown. Requesting Centre to allow 30-40 trains for migrants, he ded that Centre's share of train ticket cost is yet to be received.

"We never wanted migrants to leave, but y wanted to return to ir native places. state government h initially requested Central government to make arrangements for migrants' return, however, y did t take any step. Once situation got worse, action was initiated," Thackeray said. 

CM ded, "Maharashtra government will bear all expenses of migrants travelling back to ir homes. I am confident that Centre will pay as y promised. Till w, more than 7 lakh migrants have left Maharashtra. I request Centre to provide 30-40 Shramik trains for migrants."

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Railways eases Shramik train rules 

Centre has issued a new order empowering Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Home Affairs to decide on movement of Shramik trains. According to revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), consent of receiving states is longer necessary. This move was reportedly necessitated after several states blamed each or for t accepting Shramik train requests. As of date, Centre has operated 2818 Shramik Special trains till date, transporting over 36 lakh migrants home.

Maharashtra govt allows 25 take-offs & 25 domestic flight landings daily from Mumbai