96% of northeast migrants feel safe in Bengaluru: Study
Half of respondents say northeastern members are more united in B'luru than in their native place
Bengaluru: Amid ongoing allegations of discrimination against outsiders in Bengaluru based on language, a recent research by the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) has found that 96% of migrant workers from northeastern states feel safe in the city, describing it as a migrant-friendly place.
The research, as cited by Deccan Herald on Wednesday, aimed to document the experiences, challenges, and coping strategies of northeastern migrants living in Bengaluru. The study, titled "Gender and Identity: With Reference to the North-Eastern Migrants in Bengaluru," was authored by Dr Channamma Kambara and Dr Malini L. Tantri of ISEC. It surveyed 796 migrants from various northeastern states.
The migrants highlighted Bengaluru's job opportunities, good climate, and friendly, accommodative environment. They said the capital city offers safety and acceptance, with relatively low levels of discrimination and racism. Many expressed satisfaction with work culture, access to services, and food options.
Interestingly, the research found that 52% of respondents felt that there is greater unity among northeastern members in Bengaluru compared to their native states.
The study also revealed that a significant number of migrants, particularly women, showed a preference for settling down in Bengaluru.
However, about 28% of respondents reported facing subtle discrimination at the workplace, primarily linked to language barriers, pay disparity, gender bias, and religion.
"Nonetheless, the migrants also attend various cultural, social and festive events where they are not discriminated except that the migrants cannot follow the language and culture," the research noted.
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ICICI Bank trims hike, lowers min balance requirement to Rs 15,000 from Rs 50,000
New Delhi, Aug 13 (PTI): In a U-turn, ICICI Bank has slashed the minimum monthly average balance (MAB) requirement to Rs 15,000 from Rs 50,000, citing "valuable feedback" from customers.
The minimum balance requirement for its new savings bank accounts opened on or after August 1 was recently raised five times to Rs 50,000.
"Following valuable feedback from our customers, we have revised these requirements to better reflect their expectations and preferences. We thank our customers for their continued trust and feedback, which help us serve them better," ICICI Bank posted on its website.
Similarly, the MAB for semi-urban and rural locations has been revised downwards to Rs 7,500 and Rs 2,500 respectively, it said.
Before August 1, the MAB for semi-urban and rural was Rs 5,000.
However, the bank said the revised MAB requirements are not applicable to salary accounts, senior citizens/pensioners (above 60 years), basic savings bank deposit account/PM Jandhan Yojana, and accounts for people with special needs.
They are also not applicable to savings accounts opened before July 31, 2025.
MAB is the minimum balance that a customer is required to maintain in a bank account. If the balance falls below the required amount, the bank levies a penalty.
In case account holders fail to meet the MAB, customers will be liable to pay penal charges of 6 per cent of the shortfall in required MAB, or Rs 500, whichever is lower.
The balance in the savings bank account of ICICI Bank earns an interest of 2.5 per cent per annum, it said.
The hike in MAB comes at a time when public sector banks have rationalised their penalties or completely waived them.
