'Solve this mystery': Rahul Gandhi attacks as Congress says it'll pay migrants' train fare

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday took to Twitter and slammed Railway Ministry and Central government over ministry's decision to charge for tickets on special trains for stranded migrant workers amid Coronavirus lockdown. Rahul, in a tweet in Hindi, said, "On one hand, Railways is charging ticket fares from trapped labourers in or states, while on or hand, it is giving Rs 151 crore to PM-CARES Fund. Just solve this mystery!"

Railway ministry will donate Rs 151 crore to PM-CARES fund to help in combating coronavirus threat, Union minister Piyush Goyal had said on March 29.

Congress to bear train travel cost for migrants

Earlier on Monday, Congress president 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.

READ | MHA permits movement of stranded persons by train, Railways to run 'Shramik Special'

READ | Two ‘Shramik Express’ trains bring 2,300 migrant workers from Kerala & Gujarat to Odisha

Here is Sonia Gandhi's full statement:

READ | Railways issues guidelines to operate Shramik trains, clarifies on tickets distribution

READ | Congress to bear train travel cost for migrant workers; Sonia attacks govt & rail ministry