During a Lok Sabha session on Monday, BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy highlighted the alarming snakebite mortality rate in India, stating that about 50,000 people die annually due to snakebites, the highest in the world. He noted that 30-40 lakh people are bitten by snakes across the country each year.
Rudy emphasized that many of these deaths could be prevented, attributing the increase in snakebite incidents to climate change, particularly when temperatures rise above 28 degrees Celsius. “Bihar is the poorest state, enduring both poverty and natural calamities. This snakebite issue exacerbates the state’s struggles,” Rudy remarked, urging for more effective measures to address this issue.
In the same session, several other MPs voiced concerns on various matters:
Vellore MP M Kathir Anand expressed concern over the plight of beedi workers, predominantly women, demanding a wage increase and highlighting their significant exposure to occupational hazards. Anand urged the Centre to allocate more funds and provide pensions for workers over 60 years old.
Kanyakumari MP Vijay Vasanth called for an increase in the quota of recommendations to 150 per year to better assist people. He also urged the government to re-evaluate the Ayushman Bharat scheme to ensure comprehensive medical expense coverage. “Let us work together to realize the full potential of our healthcare system,” he advocated.
Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur raised concerns about corruption in Punjab’s Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) supplementary nutrition program, alleging that aid was being given to fake beneficiaries through private entities. Kaur demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter and highlighted the inadequate wages of 28 lakh Anganwadi workers, who are paid only ₹2,200 per month. She called for justice for mothers and children dependent on these services.
Karur MP S Jothimani voiced strong opposition to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), asserting that the exam favored those who could afford it, costing ₹25 lakh to access the question paper. She highlighted the socioeconomic disparity caused by NEET and noted that at least 18 students in Tamil Nadu had committed suicide due to the pressure of the exam. Jothimani demanded the complete abolition of NEET, citing its detrimental impact on rural students’ admissions.
Godda MP Nishikant Dubey accused the Jharkhand state government of usurping Adivasi rights by settling “Bangladeshi immigrants” in the region. He recounted an incident where Adivasis were allegedly beaten while protesting for their rights and called for the imposition of president’s rule in the state.
The session underscored the need for urgent action on various critical issues affecting different sections of society, from healthcare and education to worker rights and indigenous people’s welfare.