Following the growing concerns which were raised by the industries regarding the shortage of labor hitting production and logistics, the central government on Saturday, 30th May 2020 announced that special trains to facilitate the return of laborers to their workplaces will be initiated.
Minister for State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Singh Thakur assured that special trains would be arranged so that laborers can return to their workplaces after listening to the problem of shortage from the industries.
Thakur interacted with the members of the chamber through the medium of video conferencing.
The minister urged the industries to get in touch with their workers, who have returned home during the pandemic lockdown period.
3,840 ‘Shramik special trains’ have been operated till 28th May 2020 and the services commence from 1st May 2020 according to the Railway Board
Thakur further informed that an Ordinance will soon be held on the new rules of tax deduction at source (TDS) why responding to the other suggestions by the chamber.
The Railways ministry has modified guidelines for ‘Shramik’ special trains, which ferry migrant laborers from various states during the Covid-19 lockdown.
The ministry has also decided to increase the capacity of these special trains from existing 1,200 to more than 1,700. The revised guidelines state that the capacity of these trains should be equal to the number of sleeper berths.
The railway zones have also been asked to provide three stoppages in the destination state other than the final stop, at the request of the state governments.
Amid the discussion over the admissions of Shamrik uncommon trains, the Ministry of Railways said that 85 percent of the consumption of these unique trains is being borne by the Center while the states are paying 15 percent in the type of passages.
Tending to a question and answer session with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Railways said that 2,600 Shramik Special trains finished excursion since May 1, taking more than 35 lakh travelers to their goal.
Guaranteeing that all vagrants will arrive at their goal "as fast as could reasonably be expected", Railway Board Chairman Vinod Kumar Yadav further said that more than 260 Shramik exceptional trains are working each day, conveying three lakh travelers day by day.
"Shramik Special Trains were begun on May 1. Free dinners and drinking water being given to all the travelers. Social separating and cleanliness conventions being followed in trains and stations," Yadav stated, as revealed by news office ANI.
These special trains are in addition to already operational 30 Rajdhani type trains, and Shramik trains, which are being used to ferry stranded migrant laborers. The Ministry of Railways after consultation with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had announced the train services to be further partially restored with effect from June 1, 2020.
