Rs 5K Aid, Skill Training: Mamata Woos Migrant Workers To Return To Bengal Ahead Of 2026 Polls

Last Updated:August 18, 2025, 19:07 IST

The CM said the aim of the new initiative– Shramashree– is to bring back these migrant workers and help them with their livelihoods and make them financially independent.

Banerjee said if these workers do not have a house in West Bengal, a community kitchen centre will be set up for them. (Image: PTI/File)

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday announced a new scheme to woo workers from West Bengal who are currently working in other states ahead of the 2026 assembly polls, alleging they are being harassed in NDA-ruled states.

In a press conference in Kolkata, the Chief Minister said these workers will get a rehabilitation aid of Rs 5,000 per month for a year and will be given training based on their skills.

“Most of the 22 lakh of our migrant workers and their families who are outside have been harassed for speaking in Bengali in these States… Those speaking in Bengali are being singled out and treated like criminals, put in jail or pushed back to Bangladesh. The Bengali workers who are returning are in a helpless situation because of linguistic persecution and harassment. They are being criminalised, and which is why, we have taken a decision," she said.

Banerjee said the aim of the new initiative– Shramashree– is to bring back these migrant workers and help them with their livelihoods and make them financially independent. “Those who return will be provided Rs 5,000 along with one-time travel aid. Until new work can be arranged for them, a rehabilitation aid of Rs 5,000 per month will be given. This will be given for 12 months," she said.

Under Utkarsha Bangla, the CM said these workers will be imparted skill training and then involved in various types of work. “Under the Karmashree scheme, these workers will also be provided with job-cards. We have given work to 78 lakh job-card holders under this scheme and over 91 crore man-days have been created. The State has spent Rs 19,000 crore for this scheme," he said.

Banerjee said if these workers do not have a house in West Bengal, a community kitchen centre will be set up for them. “Arrangements will be made for their children to enrol in local government schools to ensure their education continues without interruption. They will be enrolled in all the other schemes of the Bengal government," she added.

Saurabh Verma

Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19

Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19

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August 18, 2025, 19:07 IST

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