Mamata Banerjee’s ‘Shramashree Scheme’ gets 40,000 applications, mostly unregistered migrant workers

West Bengal’s Shramashree Scheme Sees 40,000 Applications from Migrant Workers

Kolkata, Sep 9: The West Bengal government launched the Shramashree Scheme just a few weeks ago, and it’s already getting a lot of attention from migrant workers. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced it on August 18 to help workers who’ve faced tough times away from home. So far, the state has received around 40,000 applications under this migrant workers scheme.

The scheme offers real financial help to Bengali migrant workers returning to West Bengal after dealing with harassment or torture in other states. These workers often head out for jobs but end up facing problems, especially in BJP-ruled states, as per recent reports.

Now, here’s the interesting part: Out of West Bengal’s 22.4 lakh registered migrant workers, these 40,000 applications make up just 1.78%. But the real twist? Many of these applicants aren’t even on the government’s official list of registered migrant workers. Labour department sources tell us that most of the 40,000 don’t show up in their records.

A senior official from the West Bengal labour department explained this means a lot of workers leave the state for jobs without registering first. It also hints that the true number of migrant workers from West Bengal working elsewhere could be way higher than the 22.4 lakh figure. "This shows the actual scale of migration from our state is bigger than we thought," the official added.

So, what happens to these unregistered applicants? A labour department insider says the big question is whether the government will accept their Shramashree Scheme applications. "It’s up to the top authorities to decide," they noted. This could lead to some policy changes for unregistered migrant workers in West Bengal.

Let’s recap what CM Mamata Banerjee promised on August 18. If a migrant worker decides to come back to Bengal from another state, the government steps in with cash incentives. First, they get a one-time payment of Rs 5,000 right after returning. Then, Rs 5,000 every month for a full year. That’s a solid boost for families facing hardships.

But the support doesn’t stop there. Returning workers under the Shramashree Scheme will keep getting other government benefits, like health insurance. Plus, the state labour department plans to provide job training to help them find new opportunities back home. "We’ll handle everything to make their return smooth," the Chief Minister assured.

This initiative comes amid growing concerns over the mistreatment of Bengali-speaking workers in other parts of India. With applications pouring in, the West Bengal migrant workers scheme is sparking discussions on better registration and support systems. Stay tuned as the government decides on the next steps for these applicants.