Senior BJP leader and spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain on Wednesday, in his response to the press briefing by Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that none of the deaths that happened in Shramik Special Trains were attributed to hunger as per post-mortem reports. He said that the causes of death were natural and added that it was unfortunate that the deaths have been politicised.
Mr. Hussain gave the details of person who died and the cause of their death as per post-mortem reports. Dashrath Prajapati (30) was suffering from a chronic kidney condition, Ram Ratan Ground (63) was a Divyand since childhood (physically chanllenged) and had a deteriorating health condition as per the video state given his family member, Ibrar Ahmad died of a brain stroke and not due to dehydration as claimed, Arbina Khatoon was suffering from pre-existing mental ailments according to the video statement of Arbina’s relative.
Highlighting the fare rationale for the special trains, Mr. Hussain said that Indian Railways on an average gives 43% subsidy on the travel cost. The cost borne by the Centre for these trains is higher due to vacancy in train berths as a result of social distancing norms and also the cost arising due to the train plying empty on its return journey. He said that the migrants being charged for the ticket was a blatant lie as state governments paid the remaining 15% of the fare.
As of June 3, 4197 Shramik Special Trains have transported 58 lakh passengers to their homestates and more than 1.5 crore meals and 2 crore packaged water bottles have been provided by Indian Railways free of cost, Mr. Hussain said.
He said that the BJP is not here to do petty politics and added that the government believes in tackling problems head on.