Nagender Singh
Shimla, Feb 25
The crisis created by the Russia-Ukraine war reached the Himachal Pradesh assembly today with the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur assuring the house that the Himachali students stranded in the war torn Ukraine would be brought home safely as he was discussing and coordinating the evacuation plan with the union government.
The CM Jai Ram Thakur was replying on the matter raised in the state assembly by Congress leader Mukesh Agnihotri through point of order.
The Chief Minister disclosed in the assembly today that he has spoken to the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar about the problem and urged him to manage the early return of the students.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has set up the helpline for assistance and registration of those students who were held up in Ukraine and till now 60 students have made their entry.
Thakur said that the students of Indian origins were safe in Ukraine and were in touch with the Indian Embassy. The Chief Minister said that the Indian Embassy in Ukraine was making all efforts to ensure the safety of students there and they would be kept in a secured place by the Indian Consulate.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked with Putin last night and urged to end the deadlock. The State Government launched a toll free number 1100 last night to help the family members of the stranded Himachal Student in Ukraine and 60 parents have lodged their complaints.
The Chief Minister said that 200 children were evacuated by a flight yesterday but other Indian students could not evaluate as the Airports were affected by the conflict before they could fly.
He said that the Indian Government is in touch with the Ukraine neighboring countries to find a safe passage for evacuation of the Indian students.
As the house assembled for the 3rd day of the budget session, the leader of Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri has drawn the attention of the house about the concerns of parents stating that a large number of students belonging to the state are stranded in Ukraine. He accused the government of India of not making serious efforts for timely evacuations of the Indian students now trapped in various places in the war torn nation.
Mukesh Agnihotri said that the Union government did not evacuate students and other Indian citizens in time before the war began. He said that the airlines have increased the airfare from Rs 25000 to over one Lakh.
He also said that the Private Airlines are charging Rs 1.25 lakh , Rs 1.35 Lakh and Rs 1.70 lakh airfare between Ukraine and Delhi. He urged the state government to ensure the safe returns of students and arrange how they could complete their study. He said that many parents are calling members of the legislative assembly to help them for early evacuation of the stranded students. They also addressed a press conference at Una yesterday, Agnihotri added.
