Migrant workers in focus as Bihar parties stay on poll



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The return home of tens of thousands of migrant workers since the closure of Covid-19 began on March 25, and the finding that they may not be in a hurry to return to big cities out of state to work has shocked political parties. in Bihar (the polls are likely to happen at the end of the year) in action.

Bihar’s NDA government, led by Nitish Kumar of Janata Dal United, was initially criticized for appearing reluctant to recover its workers; The government has argued that it was waiting for a national protocol: It is working on ways to find work for returnees, a sure way to guarantee the heir’s loyalty.

So far, about a quarter of a million people, all migrant workers, have found their way back to Bihar according to government records.

“The CM has made it clear that this is the time to turn challenges into opportunities. The idea of ​​mapping the skills of returning migrants is to ensure better utilization of their services, “said JD (U) spokesman Rajiv Ranjan, who attended a recent meeting of his party officials which was chaired by the first Minister Ranjan acknowledged that these workers would play a crucial role in the elections.

“Those who have returned or are returning are here to stay. They are not going to return to their workplace for at least two years, ”said BJP MLC and former union minister Sanjay Paswan. The BJP and JD (U) are partners in the Bihar government.

Paswan added that his return is good for the ruling alliance. “Most of them, approximately 75%, are extremely backward castes, 20% are SC / ST and only 5% are of higher caste. The caste profile of the migrants suits us, despite the fact that today they are a little against us due to the state government’s hesitation about their return. ”

But that has a solution, he seemed to suggest. “All we have to do is accommodate them, think about their reemployment so there will be no social unrest.”

The Congress party has been quick to claim credit for the return of the migrants. “From the beginning, Congress has been demanding that the central and state governments facilitate the return of migrant workers to Bihar and their respective states. But no one paid attention, “said state congress president Madan Mohan Jha.

Experts say that meaningful use of the skills that migrants possess can help the backward state. “They are trained to perform in the primary and service sectors. If the government ties them significantly with the help of financial institutions, they will make Bihar shine, “says D M Diwakar, a political expert at the AN Sinha Institute for Social Studies.

Shefali Roy, head of department (political science) at the University of Patna, says: “The government’s announcement to give Rs 1500 (500 + 1000) to each of them after 21 days of quarantine is a strategy to attract the future voters. Memory is scarce, so workers will soon forget the problems and cash will definitely soften their opinion of the government. “

“They have been instrumental in the development of Maharashtra, Punjab, Delhi, Gujarat and various states. We welcome them. They bode well for us, ”said BJP state spokesman Prem Ranjan Patel.

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