Rlys seeks fare for spl trains from states, oppn slams govt

NEW DELHI: Several opposition members on Sunday slammed the Indian Railways for asking state governments to pay for tickets of stranded migrants transported by Shramik Special trains after “collecting the ticket fare”, urging the Centre not to put extra burden on states and the already stressed passengers.
Though railway officials did not respond to queries to clear the air formally, sources said it was up to the sending state to decide how it pays the ticket amount to the railways for identified persons. The standard operating procedure issued by the railways said, “The local state government authority shall hand over the tickets to the passengers cleared by them and collect the ticket fare and hand over the total amount to railways.”
“If you are stuck abroad during this COVID crisis this government will fly you back for free but if you are a migrant worker stranded in another state be prepared to cough up the cost of travel. Where did “PM Cares” go?” tweeted NC’s Omar Abdullah. SP’s Akhilesh Singh Yadav termed the move as “highly shameful”. Maharashtra minister Nitin Raut also said the central government should have paid for their tickets from PM CARES Fund. Earlier Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren had urged the Centre to reconsider its decision.