Motormen strike: Center directed to explain in RS

New Delhi, May 4: The Center has been asked to explain the motormen strike of the Central and Western railway in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, May 4.

The direction was given by Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan after the issue was raised in the zero hour by the agitated Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members headed by Prakash Javadekar and S S Ahluwalia. They also questioned 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.

In an attempt to pacify the oppositions, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the matter will be brought to the notice of the ministers.

However, the assurance failed to satisfy the BJP and other opposition members who sought an immediate statement from the government in the matter.

"The government should make an immediate statement," Javadekar said.

"This is a very serious matter. The government should have made a suo moto statement," Ahluwalia said.

The pandemonium compelled Khan to direct the government to make a statement in the House.

"The matter is serious. You have brought it to the notice of the government. The government will react later in the day," he said.

Khan then closed the matter by saying that he had already directed the government to make statement.

"I have already given a direction asking the government to react during the course of the day," he said.

The government is expected to make a statement later in the day.

Commuters in Mumbai were hit by the hunger strike of over 600 motormen which started on Monday, May 3 to press for their demand for better pay.

The inconvenience has forced the railways to issue a rare advisory Tuesday, May 4, 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.

OneIndia News