Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation MP, Sudama Prasad, has raised concerns over gifts received by members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways during their recent visit to parts of South India. In a letter addressed to the committee’s Chairperson, CM Ramesh, Prasad expressed his decision to return the gifts.

During the committee’s visit to Bangalore, Tirupati, and Hyderabad from October 31 to November 7, 2024, Prasad received a 1-gram gold coin from RITES and a 100-gram silver block from Rail Vikas Nigam Limited.

In his letter dated November 2, 2024, Bihar MP Sudama Prasad wrote: “Yesterday, late in the night, RITES and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited people visited my room and presented two bags of memorabilia. As I was tired from my day’s work, I didn’t immediately look into what was given to me. Later in the night, I discovered a 1-gram gold coin and a 100-gram silver block. I was taken aback and raised questions about public morality and ethics on the part of Indian Railways for giving such gifts.”

Prasad announced his intention to return the gifts during a committee meeting, stating: “I hope to return the gold and silver given to me as gifts in front of the committee members and wish to express my dissatisfaction and anger for treating a Member of Parliament in this manner.”

Calling the practice unethical, Prasad claimed the gifts were an attempt to suppress MPs from addressing critical issues.

“At a time when passengers are facing multiple challenges of railway safety, increasing fares, lack of facilities, and humiliating treatment by Indian Railways, such gifts given to standing committee members is not only unethical but borders on corruption to silence MPs from raising issues concerning the general public,” Prasad said.

He also urged the Chairperson to instruct the Indian Railways management to avoid extravagant accommodations, such as five-star hotels, for committee meetings and official engagements.

Sources within the committee told India Today TV that the gifts, including flowers, shawls, paintings, and memorabilia, were intended as gestures of warmth and hospitality.

Notably, none of the other 30 members of the committee, which includes representatives from various political parties, have commented on the issue or followed suit in returning the gifts.