Published 13:58 IST, May 5th 2020
Now, Mayawati pushes BSP's offer to pay for migrants' travel despite Centre clarifying
BSP chief Mayawati has rather belatedly slammed the Centre and state governments over the now falsified claim that they were to charge money from migrant labour
- India News
- 3 min read
BSP chief Mayawati has rather belatedly slammed the Centre and state governments over the now falsified claim that they were to charge money from migrant labourers for arranging their transportation back home, saying that if they were reluctant to pay for their journeys', BSP would contribute their bit. This comes after clarification by Centre the migrant labourers will travel free of cost as the government will pay 85% and the state government will pay 15% of the expenses.
"It is very unfortunate that the central and state governments are also charging rent from migrant labourers for sending trains and buses etc. All governments should make it clear that they do not charge money to send them. This is the demand by BSP," tweeted Mayawati. "In such a situation, B.S.P. suggests that if the governments are reluctant to pay the rent for the migrant labourers, then the BSP, with help from its powerful people, will make a small contribution in arranging their sending," she added.
'Congress politicising issue'
Previously Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi had made similar claims and had attacked the Central government by saying that if the government can bring back citizens stranded abroad free, why can't it extend the same courtesy of free rail travel to migrants. BJP's IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya cleared the confusion around this holding Congress responsible for politicising the matter saying, "Congress wants to politicise it. MHA guidelines are very clear, that no tickets are being sold at the counter. The state governments are required to make a list of these migrants workers and give them the ticket. The cost of the ticket will be borne by the railways to the extent of 85% and who are the ones making this list to the extent of 15%,"
Updated 13:58 IST, May 5th 2020
