Has Nitish govt lost the trust of migrant workers?

In the poll-bound Bihar, migrant worker crisis will be a big issue in the government formation. On one hand, the Nitish government has claimed to look after the needs of the migrant workers but labourers feel that they are concerned about employment and not votes.

Patna: Bihar witnessed the largest single-day influx of migrant workers when the government announced the ease of lockdown. Millions of migrant workers had earlier this year rushed home to Bihar from the metro and megacities to escape the COVID-19 fury, but hunger and joblessness are now driving them back to their places of work, even as coronavirus cases continue to surge.

After the government imposed a nationwide lockdown, it triggered a wave of migration from Delhi, Mumbai Bengaluru, Hyderabad among other cities - with many labourers hoping to start their life afresh in their hometowns.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had promised the over-20 lakh migrants who returned to the state that his government would create jobs for them so that they are not forced to venture outside out of "majboori" (compulsion).

JD(U) supremo urged industrialists to set up units in the state and assured migrants of every possible government support. Directing officials to encourage industrialists for investing in the state, Kumar said setting up industries will spur growth and development of the market and enhance people's income.

The story of 12 migrant workers from Haryana's Rohtas depicts an ugly picture as the workers are in despair with unemployment and starvation looming over their heads. The wait for employment has got only longer.

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"We do not even know we will eat the next meal of the day or not. The govt is boasting about its schemes and plans but we are still jobless. We have no money in our pocket. How are we going to vote?", the migrants asked.

He added on with teary eyes, "We had little food when we came to Bihar. Now, we are running out of food. We never thought that we would face such situation in Bihar."

With the election season knocking in the state, every political party is making its best attempts to woo the workers by luring them with jobs. Nitish govt failed in handling the migrant crisis by making adequate relief arrangements for them.

While addressing various physical and virtual rallies, CM Nitish Kumar has talked about the various developmental and infrastructural work done by his government. But migrants feel that the state government did not meet their demands.

The migrant workers are of the view that the government has no right to ask votes from them as they are still starving for food and jobs.

"Our participation in the voting process will be limited and we do not expect anything from the government. We are only concerned about our source of livelihood and income," said the workers.

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With PTI inputs