Karnataka administration charges Rs 5700 each to ferry migrants from Belgaum to Morena

Despite the state government claimed to pay the fares of the stranded migrant in reaching their hometown, the Karnataka state transport has charged an amount of Rs 5,700 per person to as many as 83 workers to ferry from Belgaum to Madhya Pradesh's Morena.

Morena (Madhya Pradesh): The Karnataka government has charged a sum of Rs 5,700 to every migrant worker for reaching their hometown in Madhya Pradesh's Morena, claimed the migrant workers ferried from Belgaum district of Karnataka.

Though, the BS Yeddyurappa-led Karnataka government had assured the workers for a free ride to their hometown, the state authority has charged a hefty amount to ferry the stranded migrants from Belgaum to Morena.

After reaching the hometown, the workers have uploaded the video on several social media platforms, which became viral within an hour of upload.

In the 30 second video, a staff wearing a white shirt can be seen collecting money from the daily wage earners.

While talking to ETV Bharat, Asha Singh, a traveller said, "We have been stranded in the Belgaum district since PM Modi announced a nationwide lockdown. We have shot a two-minute video and urged the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister to ferry us to Morena. Despite our efforts, none of them had contacted us."

While another migrant labour, Jitendra Singh claimed the district administration had asked them to pay the transport amount, or else stay in Karnataka until the lockdown gets over.

Earlier, they asked to pay Rs 11,000 per person but when the migrants opposed, they ask to give an amount of Rs 5,700, claimed Singh.

Narrating the ordeal, Swadesh Sikarwar said, "We were provided rice and water. We have demanded vegetables and pulses but none of them had taken our demand into consideration."

A total of 83 migrant labourers ferried from Belgaum on Sunday night and has reached Morena on Tuesday evening.