The Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav on Friday said in Parliament that there was a loss of Rs 259.44 crore to railway property due to the protests against the Agnipath scheme.
In a written reply to a question asked by Congress leader Akhilesh Prasad Singh in the Rajya Sabha, Ashwini said that 2132 trains were cancelled between June 15 and June 23 due to protests across the country against the “Agnipath scheme” of short-term recruitment in the Armed Forces. Railway Minister informed that during the period from 14th June 2022 to 30th June 2022, a refund of about Rs.102.96 crore has been granted.
“A separate data regarding the amount of refund granted to passengers due to disruption of rail services on account of public disorder consequent to agitation like those held after launching of Agnipath scheme is not maintained,” said Ashwini.
Talking about the investigation Ashwini said, “Cases of damage, destruction of government property including railway property are restored and investigated by the concerned GRP and State Police under IPC and Railways Act.”
However, he further added that there was a loss of Rs 259.44 crore to railway property due to the protests. At present, all the affected train services, which were cancelled due to the protest against the Agnipath scheme, have been restored.