In an attempt to corner the central government, Sonia Gandhi on Monday had said that Congress’s state units will bear the cost of travel fare of needy migrant workers who are stranded.
New Delhi| The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday said that the Railways has subsidized 85 percent of travel fare for migrants who wish to go back home. This comes after Congress President Sonia Gandhi slammed BJP and said that Congress will bear the expenses of the fares if the central government is not willing to do so. The clarification later came from the BJP which said that 85% of the fares will be subsidized by the Central government while state governments will take the care of the rest of the 15%.
The state government can also pay for the tickets if concerned, said BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra.
He said that the Madhya Pradesh government is following the suit and asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to do the same in Congress-ruled states.
Patra was responding to Rahul Gandhi’s attack on centre for asking migrants to pay for the travel fares while Railways donated Rs. 151 crore to the PM-Cares funds.
“Rahul Gandhi ji, I have attached guidelines of MHA which clearly states that ‘No tickets to be sold at any station’. Railways has subsidised 85% & state govt to pay 15%. The state govt can pay for the tickets (Madhya Pradesh’s BJP govt is paying). Ask Cong state govts to follow suit,” Sambit Patra tweeted.
In an attempt to corner the central government, Sonia Gandhi on Monday had said that Congress’s state units will bear the cost of travel fare of needy migrant workers who are stranded due to the nationwide lockdown imposed in the country to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The Congress president announced the party’s decision and said that it’d be Congress’s humble contribution in order to stand shoulder to shoulder with these workers.
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