New Delhi: The Centre told Parliament on Thursday that it is aware of reports issued from time to time by various foreign bodies, including the US, on the human rights situation in India. Such reports are often found to be subjective, misinformed and biased.Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said this in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha. He was asked whether the government is aware of the recent US Congress Research Service report, which highlights concerns regarding India's human rights record, particularly religious freedom and communal violence?

The report was called biased

In response, the Union Minister said that such reports are often misinformed and biased. The government does not take cognizance of internal reports of foreign institutions. India is a vibrant democracy, whose Constitution guarantees the fundamental rights of citizens. A strong judiciary and independent media ensure the exercise of these rights.

Kirti Vardhan Singh said that the government is concerned about the incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. It is the primary responsibility of the interim government of Bangladesh to protect the life and freedom of Hindus and other minorities. India is closely monitoring the situation related to minorities in Bangladesh.

Remarks after Dhaka visit

The Union minister's remarks came days after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Dhaka and conveyed New Delhi's concerns on the matter to top political officials of the interim government.

Kirti Vardhan Singh informed that India has signed bilateral agreements with 31 countries on the transfer of convicted prisoners. Under this, Indian prisoners lodged in foreign jails can be transferred to India to serve the remaining period of their sentence. Similarly, foreign prisoners lodged in Indian jails can be sent to their country.

Indians getting help abroad

He said the government attaches high priority to the safety and welfare of Indians abroad, including those lodged in foreign jails. The countries with which India has signed agreements on the transfer of convicted prisoners include Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Egypt, France, Iran, Maldives, Mauritius, Russia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Britain.

Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal has said that India will soon have the second largest metro network in the world. At present, 997 km of metro rail is under construction in the country. This information was given in a statement on Thursday.

India will become the largest metro network

According to the statement, Manohar Lal addressed the members of the Consultative Committee of Parliament attached to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on Wednesday. He said that the government is making tireless efforts to strengthen the urban transport network across the country. 993 km of metro rail is operational in 23 cities of the country. While 997 km of metro rail is under construction in 28 cities. India is on its way to becoming the country with the second largest metro network in the world.