Indian Railways suffered loss of Rs 259 crores due to Agnipath protests: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
The minister said, "A loss of Rs 259.44 crore due to damage of railway assets in agitations against Agnipath scheme was incurred. All the affected train services cancelled on account of the Agnipath scheme have been restored."
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New Delhi, July 23: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed that the Indian Railways suffered a loss of Rs 259.44 crores due to damage and destruction caused during the protests over the Agnipath scheme.
Protests against the new military recruitment scheme had turned violent in states like Bihar, UP and Telangana as agitated youth vandalised railway properties and set trains on fire. The worst-hit East Central Railways, covering Bihar, Jharkhand and parts of UP witnessed widespread protests.
"During the last three years (2019, 2020 and 2021) the losses incurred by the Indian Railways due to other agitations are Rs 151 crore, Rs 904 crore and Rs 62 crore respectively," he added.
Deliberate dissemination of misinformation by coaching centres & Youtubers triggered large-scale violence over the recruitment scheme.
Many armed forces aspirants took to the streets under the pretext of ‘peaceful protests’ and demonstrations. While demanding a rollback of the government scheme, they vandalised public property and burnt trains, disrupting the states.
In a written reply, the minister said, "A loss of Rs 259.44 crore due to damage/destruction of railway assets in agitations against Agnipath scheme was incurred. All the affected train services cancelled on account of the Agnipath scheme have been restored."
Vaishnaw also said that separate data regarding amount of refund granted to passengers due to disruption of rail services on account of public disorder consequent to agitations is not maintained.
Protests against the new military recruitment scheme had turned violent in states like Bihar, UP and Telangana as agitated youth vandalised railway properties and set trains on fire. The worst-hit East Central Railways, covering Bihar, Jharkhand and parts of UP witnessed widespread protests.
Between June 14-30, a total refund of around Rs 102.96 crores was granted on account of cancellation of trains, the minister said.
Deliberate dissemination of misinformation by coaching centres & Youtubers triggered large-scale violence over the recruitment scheme.
Many armed forces aspirants took to the streets under the pretext of ‘peaceful protests’ and demonstrations. While demanding a rollback of the government scheme, they vandalised public property and burnt trains, disrupting the states.