RS-MOTION

CPI Member raises the issue of manual scavenging in RS
New Delhi, Jun 25 (PTI) The issue of manual scavenging
and deaths of seven persons while cleaning a hotel's sewer in
Gujarat found a mention in Rajya Sabha Tuesday, with D Raja of
the CPI claiming Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not uttered
a word on the deaths in his home-state so far.
Participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks to
President's Address, Raja accused the BJP of trying to impose
a monolithic, illiberal and socio political order in the
country.
Raja claimed that Dalits and minorities were being
targeted in the name of majoritarianism and that the attacks
on the two communities have increased manifold.
He said the government was spending crores on the Swacch
Bharat Abhiyaan (cleanliness campaign) but not doing anything
for Safai Karamcharis.
"Seven people were killed in Gujarat while cleaning a
sewer, that is our Prime Minister's state, what a shame the
Prime Minister he has not uttered a word so far," Raja said.
Seven persons, including four sanitation workers, died
earlier this month after inhaling toxic fumes while cleaning
sewer of a hotel in Vadodara district of Gujarat.
The incident happened shortly after midnight at Darshan
Hotel in Fartikui village of Dabhoi tehsil, around 30 kms from
Vadodara city, police said. Three employees of the hotel were
also among those killed.
Besides, Raja sought to know the mandate given to Niti
Aayog and claimed the government think tank was proposing
that PSUs be handed over to the private sector.
Kailash Soni of the BJP said in this country there are
people who pass comments on Veer Savarkar.
P L Punia of the Congress said he did not find any
reference to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the
President's Address. He batted for reservation in jobs in the
private sector saying public sector has limited opportunities.
He suggested that Indian Judicial Services be set up.
Amee Yajnik of the Congress claimed that female
foeticide and crimes against girl children were on the rise.
She said that women felt unsafe on roads and in public places.
According to her, the manufacturing sector in MSMEs has
completely collapsed and there are no jobs.
    Swapan Dasgupta (Nominated) referring to West Bengal said
that the state called number one has become number one in poll
killings and election violence and sadly four people in
Purulia were found hanged for being supporters of a particular
party.
    Demanding punishing public officials who colluded in
degenerating democracy, he stressed the need for electoral
reforms.
    He demanded that apart from Election Commission, the
time has come for extending equal degree of supervision powers
to local bodies like panchayats and gramsabhas.
    "Area of jurisdiction of the Election Commission be
extended to local self government," he said and added that the
efforts were on to make Bangla vishakta (poisonous).
    K Keshava Rao (TRS) said that the White Revolution, Green
Revolution and Blue Revolution mentioned by the President in
his address actually happened in the previous regime.
    Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena) said the Ram Temple would be
built at Ayodhya by the BJP government and also article 370
would be abolished by it.
    Mansukh Lal Mandaviya (BJP) said governmet was making all
efforts to take welfare schemes to the people. PTI RSN NAM
TVS TVS

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from a PTI feed.)