Kolkata: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Monday launched the Shramashree scheme to help families of Bengali-speaking migrant labourers returning home after police excesses in BJP-governed states.Around 2,730 such people have returned to Bengal over the past several weeks since a drive in states like Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and Maharashtra — ostensibly to detain illegal Bangladeshi immigrants — ended up harassing thousands of migrant workers from Bengal.Families targeted in such drives and seeking refuge back home in Bengal will get a one-time grant of Rs 5,000 to cover travel costs and then a monthly financial assistance of Rs 5,000 till they get some employment (subject to a maximum time limit of a year). They would also get free ration under Khadya Sathi, Banerjee added, urging harassed migrants to return home if they wanted.”You all know how Bengali speaking people are being attacked in double-engine states. Those speaking in Bengali are being treated like criminals, put in jail or pushed into Bangladesh. More than 22 lakh migrant Bengali workers and their families stay outside the state but many are being forced to return because of this linguistic persecution. We will bring back those who want that,” the CM said, explaining the new state scheme would ensure “mental peace”.”We are doing what we can,” she said, adding that the primary aim was to bring back migrants and help them become financially independent. “We have Utkarsha Bangla, too, where we give skills training. Those who return will be assessed to identify the skills they may have and training will be given wherever required. They will be given job cards as well under the Karmashree scheme. Swasthya Sathi cards, too, will be provided and, if they do not have homes, community kitchens will be set up. Their children will be enrolled in state schools to ensure their education continues without interruption. The chief secretary will monitor this process,” Banerjee said.The CM also referred to the migrant labourers from Bengal who had been pushed into Bangladesh. “We have filed legal suits and brought many of them back. Those who are returning can also contact the Migrant Workers’ Welfare Board or access the (Karmasathi) portal. Migrant workers returning can also access the Amader Para Amader Samadhan camps to get all relevant details,” she added.
