Maternity bonus in Laludom

NEW DELHI: There’s good news for pregnant women travelling by trains.

Railway minister Lalu Prasad in a rather curious announcement on Friday conceded that women in an advanced stage of pregnancy or those women showing sudden complications in a train journey can now hope to have a comfortable delivery. The railways, he said, is planning to arrange for coupes and hospital facilities in the nearest stations possible to meet such exigency.

The TTs and other railway officers have been asked to cooperate with passengers and doctors at various railway hospitals will be asked to attend the women in labour, the Railway minister said. A baby born of a poor woman during a train journey will also be given financial help, the minister added.

“There’ll be a package for women passengers. The Railways is our house and it’s our duty to help the passengers in distress,” he added. The minister said he would consult several women organisations to discuss details of the proposed package and promised to improve the catering service as well.

Taking pot shots at the BJP, Lalu said various meat and fish dishes will be served henceforth in trains and the BJP leaders travelling should try and eat less.

Acknowledging plaudits for launching the “Garib Rath”, he said now even the poor can afford to travel in air-conditioned classes. “They have to shell out a meager Rs 400 to Rs 500. And that’s fine as it’s just the cost of two to three kilograms of mutton,” he said.