No, Indian Railways will not close all trains as of December 1; government refutes the viral advance of WhatsApp | Photo credit: Thinkstock
New Delhi: The government refuted a false claim made in a viral WhatsApp forwarding that the Indian Railways will stop operating all trains as of December 1. The viral message even claimed that all special trains operated by the Ministry of Railways to transport passengers during the blockade will also be stopped.
The government-owned public broadcaster, Prasar Bharti News Service, clarified Monday that the information is false as the rail ministry has not made such a decision.
“The government has refuted a claim circulating through messages and posts on social media that all trains, including COVID-19 special trains, will stop operating after December 1 of this year. The Ministry of Railways has clarified that it has not made such a decision, ”said the Prasar Bharati News Service in a statement issued on Twitter.
The fact-checking arm of the government information agency, the Press Information Office (PIB) also refuted the claim, stating that the government has not made such a decision.
“It is stated in a #WhatsApp trailer that all trains, including # COVID19 special trains, will stop operating after December 1. PIBFactCheck: This statement is false. The Indian Ministry of Railways has made no such decision on the disruption of train services after December 1, ”said PIB Fact Check in a Twitter statement.
On the same day, PIB Fact Check also debunked another hoax that sought to lure unsuspecting people with money in the form of “legal fees” under the pretext of granting loans under the presidency of Mudra Yojna.
“An approval letter allegedly issued by the Ministry of Finance is granting a loan under Prime Minister Mudra Yojna and requesting a payment of 2,150 rupees under the pretext of legal charges. PIBFactCheck: This letter is fake. Fin Min India has not issued this letter, ”he stated.
In addition to Covid-19, the world is also battling a fake news pandemic that has already claimed lives in India. The circulation of false news, especially related to the coronavirus, is punishable by law.
