NEW DELHI, Aug 3: DMK member Kanimozhi N V N Somu on Wednesday asked the Centre to restore the concession in train fares to senior citizens and differently abled which was withdrawn following the coronavirus-induced lockdown imposed in March 2020.
When the lockdown was imposed, the railways had suspended all train services, and later the operations were gradually restored. However, several trains are yet to be restored.
The national transporter has also withdrawn most of the concessions on train fares.
In a special mention during the morning session in the Rajya Sabha, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader said railways are the lifeline of the country, especially the poor.
She told the House that railways provides concession in ticket fare in 53 categories, including to senior citizens, differently abled persons, medal winning sports personalities, journalists, freedom fighters, and cancer patients.
“Lack of concession has burdened the elderly. Therefore, I urge the government to restore 100 per cent of normal train services and reduce fares in special trains and provide concession fare tickets to elderly citizens and differently abled people immediately,” Kanimozhi said.
Congress MP Amee Yajnik, in her Zero Hour mention, talked about issues related to cancer patients.
She said according to a report of the Indian Council for Medical Research, the number of Indians suffering from cancer is projected to increase to 29.8 million in 2025 from 26.7 million in 2021.
Yajnik said cancer treatment centres are mostly in cities, and hence more expensive for patients living in rural India.
She suggested that there should be more investment in infrastructure for treatment of cancer, as well as affordable and equitable care for the patients.
During Zero Hour, members raise matters with prior permission of the Chair.
CPI member Sandosh Kumar said there was inflation in the medical sector and no one can deny this fact.
“We need to rethink our medical policies. We need to spend more on healthcare, and pharma companies must be controlled at any cost,” he said.
Kumar said pharma companies were making high profits “abnormally”.
He also suggested that health should be made a fundamental right.
(PTI)
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