W.B. CM Launches Support Scheme for Migrant Workers Facing Harassment

Fast Summary

• New scheme for Migrant Workers: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the Shramashree scheme to support migrant workers returning to the State after facing harassment in other States. It offers ₹5,000 as a monthly stipend for up to one year until they secure employment.
• Additional Benefits: returning workers are eligible for ration cards and health insurance under the StateS Swastha Sathi healthcare program. approximately 22,40,000 migrant workers outside Bengal could benefit once registered on the Shramashree portal.
• Return of Migrants: Around 10,000 persons have returned recently due to alleged targeting in various States. Hundreds of Bengali-speaking migrants faced detention over accusations of being Bangladeshi nationals; some were deported but later repatriated.
• Language Movement: The Trinamool Congress launched a “language movement,” claiming that Bengali-speaking migrant workers were targeted for speaking thier native tongue. Many continue working outside Bengal due to limited local job opportunities.

AIIMS Kalyani mental Health Survey:

• Mamata Banerjee accused AIIMS Kalyani’s mental health survey of being an indirect attempt at implementing NRC in West Bengal and urged citizens not to share personal data without verifying with State officials.
• Officials clarified that the survey is part of Phase II of the national Mental Health Survey and is conducted with guidance from a senior health official.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The introduction of schemes like Shramashree reflects significant measures by regional governments aiming to address challenges faced by marginalized groups within India’s socio-economic system.Providing financial aid and additional welfare benefits may alleviate immediate hardships faced by returned migrant workers who struggle with harassment or lack viable options locally-issues compounded by inter-State migration complexities observed nationwide.

The allegations linking surveys like AIIMS Kalyani’s mental health initiative with NRC highlight growing mistrust between State governments and national-level projects, particularly in sensitive areas like citizenship documentation or data collection. On a broader scale, such disputes underline india’s ongoing challenges around federal cohesion when balancing national policies against localized concerns regarding identity politics and economic livelihoods.

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