Congress wades into Shramik Special trains row, urges Piyush Goyal to show 'patience'

On Monday, May 25, Congress wed into row between Maharashtra government and Centre over operation of Shramik Special trains. Maharashtra Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat agreed with CM Uddhav Thackeray's contention that Centre h failed to arrange an equate number of trains for migrant workers. He revealed that Maharashtra required 157 trains as against 125 trains as proposed by Railways Minister Piyush Goyal.

Maintaining that local ministration was busy as Eid was underway, he slammed Railways' demand to send a list of passengers for 157 trains within one hour. Moreover, Thorat urged Goyal to shun his alleged "arrogant" behaviour and cooperate with state. 

Balasaheb Thorat remarked, "Until w, procedure was that we would give list of passengers for trains to be operated one day before. Suddenly, Railways Ministry started saying that you should submit a list of passengers for demand of 157 trains immediately. This does t work. We will give you list after you tell us how much trains are going to run tomorrow. Currently, Eid festival is going and officials including police are busy. We are rey to give list despite se difficulties. For Railways or Railways Minister to tell us to submit a list within 1 hour is thing but arrogance."

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War of words over Shramik Special trains

In his dress to state on May 24, Thackeray alleged that only 50% of 80 trains required for migrant workers daily were being permitted by Railways.  After Railways Minister Piyush Goyal appealed to Maharashtra CM to immediately send a list of passengers with ir destination details for operation of 125 Shramik Special trains on May 25, Sena MP Sanjay Raut claimed that state government h followed suit. However, Railways Minister said that details pertaining to only 46 trains h been shared as of 2 am on Monday out of which 5 couldn't be operated because of Cyclone Amphan. 

Earlier in day, Goyal lashed out at latter for t giving list of migrant workers so that 125 Shramik Special trains could be operated. He recalled that 65 trains h to be cancelled in last few days because state government failed to make equate preparations such as bringing passengers to railway station. Observing that BJP as an opposition party h supported ruling government in crisis situations, he urged present-day opposition to avoid petty politics. 

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