Increasing attacks on Sikhs in Afghanistan, falling levels of women literacy, restoration of concession in train fares for senior citizens and high prices of medicines figured prominently in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
Besides this, the issue of a Chinese survey ship docking Sri Lanka was flagged by M Vaiko(MDMK), who claimed it had serious security and strategic implications for India. Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said “it is a serious issue.” Vaiko also sought a statement by the government on the matter. Raising the matter of the plight of Sikhs, Harbhajan Singh(AAP) said it was a matter of concern that this community was repeatedly targeted in Afghanistan. He listed out several incidents of terror attacks on gurudwaras there. The former cricketer also said the number of Sikhs and Hindus living in Afghanistan had reduced over the last three decades.
While raising this issue during the Zero Hour, Singh wondered why the attacks were taking pace against Sikhs only. "I have stood up to speak on the attacks on Sikhs and Gurudwaras in Afghanistan. This is not only a matter which has hurt sentiments of Sikhs living across the world, it is also an attack on identity of being a Sikh...Why such attacks on us only?”
Kanimozhi N V N Somu(DMK)asked the Centre to restore the concession in train fares to senior citizens and differently abled which was withdrawn following the Covid induced lockdown imposed in March 2020.
Seeking restoration of concession, the DMK leader said railways are the lifeline of the country, especially the poor. She said 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.
Santanu Sen (TMC)raised the issue of falling levels of women literacy while Rajni Ashokrao Patil (Congress)highlighted the drought-like situation in parts of Maharashtra.
Highlighting the high prices of medicines, Sandosh Kumar(CPI) urged the government to rethink its policy of medical care and allocate more funds to alleviate the sufferings of the poor. The CPI member also claimed 355 essential medicines are listed on the national list and the price of all these is high.