Kapil Sibal ignores Railways' clarification on migrants' train travel; says 'Shame on you'

Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Monday hit out at the Central government for charging migrant workers for rail travel during the COVID-19 lockdown. Taking to Twitter, he said that the government arranged 'special planes' to bring back Indians stranded abroad, will conduct Coronavirus tests for the economically weaker category of citizens but will charge migrants on their way home in busses and trains. "Shame on you! PM (CARES) has at least Rs 6500 cr," Sibal claimed while asking does the PM care?

'Does he care?'

'Railways is not selling any tickets to migrants'

Sibal's attack comes after many BJP leaders and the Railways clarified that it is not charging anything from the migrant labourers. The Railways is charging only the standard fare from the state government, which is just 15% of the total cost incurred by them, Railway ministry sources were quoted by news agency ANI as saying on Monday.

"Indian Railways is running 'Shramik' special trains keeping berths empty in each coach to maintain social distancing. The trains are returning empty from destinations under lock and key. Free food and bottled water are being given to migrants by railways," sources said. It is not selling any tickets to migrants and is only boarding passengers based on lists provided by states, the sources added.

The sources further said that railways are "fulfilling its social responsibility of providing safe and convenient travel especially to the poorest of the poor in a time of crisis."

'Migrant labour will go for free'

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

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

READ | BJP's Sambit Patra clarifies Rahul Gandhi's claims over migrants' trains; adds instruction

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Sonia Gandhi also 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.

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

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

(With agency inputs)