50,000 Snakebite Deaths In India, Highest Worldwide: BJP MP

In a recent Lok Sabha session, BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy highlighted the severe impact of snakebites in India, revealing that around 50,000 people die annually due to these incidents, the highest in the world. Rudy pointed out that 30-40 lakh individuals are bitten by snakes each year across the country, with Bihar facing particular challenges due to its poverty and vulnerability to natural disasters. He linked the rising incidence of snakebites to climate change, emphasizing that temperatures above 28 degrees Celsius exacerbate the problem.

The discussion extended beyond snakebites, touching upon several other critical issues. Vellore MP M Kathir Anand raised concerns about the low wages of beedi workers, predominantly women, and urged the government to increase their wages and provide pensions for workers over 60. Anand criticized the inadequate central funding and called for budgetary allocations to address the workers’ significant exposure to occupational hazards.

Kanyakumari MP Vijay Vasanth advocated for an increase in the annual quota of recommendations to 150, aiming to better assist the population. He also urged the government to reassess the Ayushman Bharat scheme to ensure comprehensive coverage of medical expenses, emphasizing the need for improved healthcare coverage.

Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur brought attention to alleged corruption within Punjab’s Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), where fake beneficiaries were reportedly receiving aid through private entities. Kaur demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry and highlighted the inadequate payment of Rs 2,200 per month to 28 lakh Anganwadi workers, calling for justice for mothers and children.

MP S Jothimani of Karur expressed strong opposition to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), criticizing the exam’s cost and its impact on students from less affluent backgrounds. She noted that NEET has led to socioeconomic disparities and even suicides among students in Tamil Nadu. Jothimani called for the abolition of NEET and criticized its detrimental effect on rural students’ admissions.

Additionally, Godda MP Nishikant Dubey accused the state government of compromising Adivasis’ rights by settling Bangladeshi immigrants in Jharkhand. Dubey described incidents of police violence against Adivasis protesting these encroachments and called for the imposition of president’s rule to address the issue.

The Lok Sabha session underscored the broad spectrum of issues affecting the nation, ranging from public health and economic disparities to administrative corruption and social justice.