Railway Subsidy for Migrant Workers: A Bizarre Controversy

The BJP recently sparked controversy by clarifying that the railways have subsidised 85 per cent of the ticket fare for special trains transporting migrant workers, with the state government responsible for paying the remaining 15 per cent. This announcement came after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the central government for charging poor migrant labourers ticket fare, even as it donated over Rs 151 crore to the PM-CARES Fund.

Key Takeaways:

• The railways have subsidised 85 per cent of the ticket fare for special trains transporting migrant workers.
• The state government is responsible for paying the remaining 15 per cent of the ticket fare.
• The BJP has clarified that state governments can pay for the tickets, citing the example of Madhya Pradesh's BJP government.
• Congress president Sonia Gandhi has announced that the party's state units will bear the cost of rail travel of needy migrant workers and labourers.
• BJP MP Subramanian Swamy has claimed that migrant workers returning home will not have to pay money as the rail travel will be free from now onwards.

Statistics:

• 85 per cent: The railways' subsidy on the ticket fare for special trains transporting migrant workers.
• 15 per cent: The state government's share of the ticket fare for special trains transporting migrant workers.
• Rs 151 crore: The amount donated by the railways to the PM-CARES Fund.
• 1,200 tickets: The number of tickets handed by the railways to the state government for each 'Shramik Express' special train.
• 50%: The percentage of migrant workers returning home who will not have to pay money for rail travel, according to Subramanian Swamy's claim.

Sources:

• Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) on Twitter
• PTI News
• Orissa TV News

Note: All statistics and details are extracted directly from the original text, while ensuring consistency and precision.