Demand in Lok Sabha for Indo-Bangla border fencing

NEW DELHI: Issues ranging from fencing of the Indo-Bangla border to desilting of Hooghly river and spread of fluorosis among people in Telangana were among several issues raised in the Lok Sabha during Zero Hour today.

Rameshwar Teli (BJP) said almost half the border between India and Bangladesh in Assam had not been fenced so far, even though the Centre had promised the All Assam Students Union way back in 1985 that this would be done.

He sought urgent steps by the Home Ministry to complete the fencing work along the entire border and repairs carried out in the existing fences.

Trinamool Congress member Subhendu Adhikari raised the issue of rising silt deposit in the Hooghly river which, he said, was affecting the activities of the Haldia port and the movement of ships and trawlers. He demanded urgent steps to start dredging of the river.

B Narsaiah Goud (TRS) sought urgent steps to check the spread of fluorosis around the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam in Telangana, saying large number of people have been affected by the disease.

Priyanka Singh Rawat (BJP) wanted mentha to be included in the list of products for which minimum support price was paid in order to benefit the farmers producing mentha in Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh and adjoining areas.

While Chhote Lal (BJP) wanted special package for farmers in various parts of Uttar Pradesh whose crops have been affected due to lack of rainfall, his party colleague Riti Pathak sought an airport at Sidhi area in Madhya Pradesh.