Despite as many as 42 days having passed since the demonetisation drive was announced, the daily wagers in Dehradun and other parts of the state continue to face considerable difficulty. With lesser scope to earn wages, many of them, mainly migrant labourers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, have left for their native states while those left here are struggling hard to earn their daily bread.
The labourers, engaged in construction activities averred that about 60 per cent of the construction works have been adversely affected, post the demonetisation move, leaving them in the lurch.
As usual, the wage earners are found awaiting the contractors near Kali Mandir at Raipur and at Rispana Bridge to hire them for work. But their number is far less than days before the demonetisation step was taken. Even the number of contractors is less.
Native of Bijnor in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, Suman Kumar who was found standing at Rispana Bridge said that the initial days had been pretty hard for them when the contractors were paying them wages in the demonetised notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000. “But now the situation is improving. We have started getting our wages in small currency notes. However, all of us are not so lucky. There are many who are not receiving wages and are perforce leaving the state for their home states, mainly Bihar and Uttar Pradesh,” said Kumar.
Another daily-wager, Anil from Bihar said that he was not getting works daily. “The situation is getting tougher with time, contrary to what the politicians say. The situation remaining uncertain, I am thinking of going back to Bihar. I hope that once home, I would at least manage our daily bread somehow,” he said.
Ramesh, another construction labourer, said he had to switch to other works to make ends meet. “Construction activities having been affected, I am seeking domestic works. I got some sanitation work in a house on Tuesday. I earned Rs 300 at the end of the day instead of Rs 400 that I used to earn earlier.” he said.
Sohan lal, native of Sitamarhi (Bihar), said that the poor like him are bearing the maximum brunt of the note ban. “The rich can part with a few crores of rupees. But we who live from hand to mouth are finding it difficult to maintain a bare living. In 42 days since the demonetisation move was announced I got work for barely 20 days. How would we survive if the adverse trend drags on for more daysIJ” he asked.
Ashish, native of Purnia (Bihar), recounted the same story, saying that many of them have gone back to their native states, hoping that the conditions would prove a shade better there. “Those still left say that the situation being the same everywhere, they are unlikely to get respite in case they follow suit,” he said.