Banerjee had offered Rs 50,000 to people who hailed from Bengal and want to return to their native land and start a business.
Claiming themselves as Trinamool Congress supporters, the daily wage labourers who have migrated from West Bengal to Kerala say they are not excited about Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's offer of starting a business in their native state with Rs 50,000. The list of reasons for refusing to return to their own state is endless.
Banerjee had offered Rs 50,000 to people who hailed from Bengal and want to return to their native land and start a business. Didi made the announcement after several labourers from WB being lynched in other states.
Lalan Mondal, in his mid-30s, comes from Bengal's Nadia district. Working at a plywood factory in Moovattupuzha, Mondal earns Rs 600 daily.
"I voted for the TMC, but the working condition in Kerala is more conducive. I get accommodation and food at my employer's place and the Kerala government has also introduced a scheme providing medical aid to migrant workers here. I don't want to return to Bengal because I have no expertise in any business and would probably end up losing the money and this job at the same time," Mondal said talking to DNA, while getting his biometric identity cards done which the Kerala government has initiated.
Back home, he said, being the eldest son in the family I had to contribute a part of my earnings to support a family. Ity comprises 11 people – his parents four sisters, two brothers, wife, a son and a daughter.
"I have studied till Class IV. I don't have the expertise or qualification. And getting a job with this much pay too is a far cry in Bengal," he said. Similar was the case of 27-year-old Majidul Mia, who hails from Alipurduar district.
Working as a construction labourer for about nine years, he now earns Rs 800 a day.
"I am a Trinamool worker myself, but all the money which the TMC government had assured to pay to remain verbal assurances only," he said.
Back home, his family comprises his parents, five brothers, two sisters, his wife and a daughter.
Majidul's friend, 29-year-old Parimal Burman is also from Alipurduar and has joined Majidul as a construction labourer for the last five years and presently earns Rs 700 daily. He too wants to stick to the sure income which he has at the moment rather than an unsure business proposition.
"I can't believe the Bengal government will pay without any strings attached. I think it is better that I will be here with the employment I have at hand. The risk is not worth taking. I might end up being unemployed," Burman said.
One week after the hate-murder in Rajasthan, where Md Afrazul Khan, a labourer hailing from Malda district of West Bengal was killed by a youth Sambhulal Regar on December 6, Mamata had said that labourers who had migrated to other states if they wanted to return owing to a feeling of insecurity, could get their names enrolled at the respective district magistrate's office and it would be ensured that they got 200 days' work in a year.
Again, she said the state would also provide for one-time financial assistance of Rs 50,000 to people like these to set up their own business unit.
While some said they were better off in Kerala, others said the state grant was nearly impossible to get. It existed only on papers.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the first accommodation facility in the country for migrant labourers. Built over an area of 40,000 sq ft, the house will provide accommodation to 620 migrant workers in a clean, hygienic and safe environment.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Parimal Burman")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}