Provide chopper service to Mansarovar pilgrims: Cong MP

A demand to provide helicopter services to the pilgrims who could not reach Mansarovar due to closure of route following heavy rains was made in Rajya Sabha today.
Congress member Mahendra Singh Mahra, through a Special Mention, made the demand to provide helicopters for performing the pilgrimage by those who could not make it due to bad weather, which led to closure of the yatra route.
He said due to heavy rains the yatra was stopped and only one batch of pilgrims was able to proceed.
Mahra demanded construction of helipads in the region.
Smriti Zubin Irani (BJP) sought an inquiry into the reported incident of attack on school children for singing National Song at Kutubpur in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh.

In his Special Mention, Mansukh L Mandaviya (BJP) raised the demand to take urgent measures to prevent incidents of rape with mentally retarded women and steps for their rehabilitation.

Ayanur Manjunatha (BJP) demanded inquiry into "irregularities" in functioning of Model ESIC Hospital at Rajaji Nagar in Bengaluru.
Highlighting the plight of 10,000 jute growers of Balasore district of Odisha, Baishnab Parida (BJD) said the jute procurement centre of Jute Corporation of India should be restored at Baliappa.
Jai Prakash Narayan (BJP) pitched for compulsory voting in elections in country.