Thaindian News

New Delhi, May 4 (IANS) The government was Tuesday directed to make a statement in the Rajya Sabha on the ongoing strike by motormen manning Mumbai’s suburban trains. It is expected to do so later in the day.
Deputy Chairman K. Rahman Khan gave the direction after angry Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members led by Prakash Javadekar and S.S. Ahluwalia raised the issue during zero hour and protested against the absence of Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee from the house.

“There are 25 lakh people sitting on the platforms. There is no water or food for them. We would like the government to take note,” Javadekar said.

Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, the senior most minister present in the house, then got up to say he would bring the matter to the notice of the minister.

This did not satisfy the BJP and other opposition members, prompting Khan to say: “The matter is serious. You have brought it to the notice of the government. The government will react later in the day.”

“The government should make an immediate statement,” Javadekar contended.

“This is a very serious matter. The government should have made a suo moto statement,” Ahluwalia added.

Khan then brought the curtain down on the issue, saying: “I have already given a direction asking the government to react during the course of the day.”

Over seven million commuters, including office-goers and students, were severely hit Tuesday, the second day of the agitation by over 600 motormen on the Western Railway (WR) and Central Railway (CR).

The stir compelled the railways to issue a rare advisory Tuesday morning.

“People may undertake (train) journey only if it’s very important,” said a bulk SMS with a helpline No. 10721 to assist stranded commuters.

The train drivers have been on a hunger strike since 6 a.m. Monday and are demanding a pay hike among other things. Their strike led to complete chaos in the city during the evening peak hour traffic Monday.