New Delhi: All India Railwaymen's Federation, on Thursday, wrote a letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi appealing to refrain the party from indulging into 'petty politics' over the matter of charging money from migrant workers for travelling in Shramik Special Trains.
AIRF is the largest workers union of Indian Railways. In its letter, the Union said that travelling during coronavirus pandemic is dangerous but Railway stuffers are making it possible through their hard work and charging money for the travel is necessary to prevent overcrowding at stations.
AIRF General Secretary Shiv Gopal Mishra explained in this letter, "Less number passengers travel in this train and in its return journey the train comes empty. A lot of people work for safety and cleanliness of these trains, thousands of crores have been used to provide meals to these people. You know it very well that Railways is bearing 85% of the total cost while States have to pay only 15% of the train travel."
He mentioned in his letter that overcrowding at the railway station could lead to spread of COVID-19.
The statement came in the wake of accusations put upon the central government by opposition parties for charging money from the migrant labourers for the train journey to their home states.
"I request you not to destabilize a good system which is enabling migrants to return home in 115 special trains because of petty momentary political gains," said Mishra.
Till date, 149 Shramik Special Trains have been operated from various states for the transportation of migrant workers to their home states. On Thursday, 14 more trains will run making a total tally as 163.
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