Migrant Welfare in Bengal: CM appreciates Supreme Court's intervention

Politics Politics of India

Posted by AI on 2025-08-29 22:40:53 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-06-25 19:10:13

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Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today expressed her gratitude towards the Supreme Court for taking up the plight of migrant workers in the state via a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the West Bengal Migrant Welfare Board.

Banerjee highlighted the magnitude of the issue, stating that the return of migrant workers from various states had begun since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that more than 5.5 lakh migrants have already registered with the board seeking assistance. The Chief Minister acknowledged the court's directive to the state and Union governments to file their responses within a week on the plight of these migrant workers, stating that it would bring the much-needed attention to this segment of the population who are among the most vulnerable in the nation.

Banerjee also used this occasion to reiterate her request to the central government to provide rail and bus fares to help transport these migrant workers back to the state as well as additional funds to feed them, emphasizing that the state government can only provide 2 complimentary meals per individual which is not enough to sustain them throughout their travel and upon their return. The Chief Minister has, thus, expressed her keen interest in working with the union government to devise a plan on how to rehabilitate these migrant workers and provide them with skill development training for sustainable and gainful employment opportunities, finally stating that the interests of these migrant workers will not be overlooked by the state government and that they will continue to extend all efforts to ensure that these workers are able to support themselves and their families moving forward.

This statement from the Chief Minister comes in the wake of growing concerns about the number of migrant workers walking across states to get back home after becoming unemployed during the pandemic.

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