Lok Shakti Abhiyan president Prafulla Samantara on Wednesday urged Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for requisite arrangements and more justice for migrant workers of Odisha in different States.
“Even now there are lakhs of Odia workers in Surat, Bangalore and many other cities who had been waiting to get trains to return their homes. Still many of them are being deprived of getting any food or ration; even they are not getting free train tickets to come. The Central Government’s announcement to provide 85 per cent of the ticket charge has not been implemented. Even, a reserved train was cancelled as the Ganjam district administration did not give clearance. Your intervention is necessary to pressurise the railway ministry to provide free train journey to Odisha workers,” Samantara wrote to the CM.
He also apprised that many Odia workers in Surat of Gujarat informed him that they needed more trains from Surat to come. He requested Pantaik that each waiting worker be given Rs 2,000 per month for their food. When they return, they many may be allowed to remain in quarantine in their houses. He also requested the Chief Minister to provide transport to the workers who have reached the borders of Odisha by walking from other States so that they can get relief and protect life.
Besides, the suggested workers should be scrutinised in quarantine centres after seven days of staying healthy and unaffected people be freed and allowed to stay inside their houses.