Mamata Banerjee launches ‘Sramasree’ scheme for rehabilitation of migrant labourers
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on recently unveiled a new welfare initiative named Sramasree, aimed at rehabilitating migrant workers from Bengal who have returned to the State after facing hardships in other parts of India, including alleged crackdowns in BJP-ruled states where Bengali Muslims were labelled as “Bangladeshis.”
Announcing the scheme after a Cabinet meeting at Nabanna, Banerjee said returning workers would receive immediate support, including a one-time payment of ₹5,000, travel assistance, and a monthly allowance of ₹5,000 for one year until they secure fresh employment. The State Labour Department has been designated as the nodal agency for implementation.
Banerjee added that beneficiaries would be included under existing social welfare schemes such as Khadya Sathi and Swasthya Sathi, while skill training under Utkarsh Bangla would ensure their employability. Job cards under the Karmasree scheme would also be issued, with the Chief Minister noting that 78 lakh such cards had already been distributed.
The government has further promised accommodation in community centres for the homeless, schooling for children, and access to schemes like Kanyasree and Shikshasree. Banerjee said all 22.40 lakh Bengal-origin workers employed outside the State would be eligible upon registration on the Sramasree portal, through which identity cards would be issued to ensure access to benefits.
Citing recent returns, Banerjee said nearly 10,000 distressed workers had come back to Bengal in the past few days, with 2,700 families fleeing other States after alleged harassment. Accusing BJP-ruled states of targeting Bengalis, she remarked, “If someone speaks Bengali, he is being labeled as a criminal. Somewhere he is pushed to Bangladesh, somewhere he is put in jail.”
The Chief Minister also underlined that while migrant workers from Bengal faced discrimination outside, nearly 1.5 crore people from other regions were earning their livelihood peacefully within West Bengal.
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Businessman burnt to death as moving car catches fire in Noida
Noida (PTI): A 46-year-old businessman was burnt to death after his moving car caught fire in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddha Nagar district, police said on Tuesday.
According to police, the victim was identified as Rajkumar Singhal, who was engaged in the paint business. The incident occurred late on Monday night near Sorkha village under the Sector 113 police station area.
Station House Officer Krishna Gopal Sharma said Singhal was driving towards Parthala Chowk when his vehicle suddenly caught fire for reasons yet to be ascertained.
Singhal was unable to get out of the car and died in the blaze, the SHO said.
Fire tenders reached the spot after receiving information, but the car had already been gutted, police said. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination and an investigation is underway.
Police suspect the presence of paint or other inflammable material in the car may have caused the fire to spread rapidly.
