Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Apr 17: A proposal is sent to the union government through the state government to provide suitable housing facility to migrant workers who arrive from outstation districts and states to the city in search of jobs in construction and industrial sector.

MLA Vedavyasa Kamath said that the intended facility will come up near Jeppinamogaru on the outskirts of the city on two acres of land. This will materialize through the scheme of the central government. This is the first scheme of this kind in the state of Karnataka for the welfare of migrant workers.

"At present migrant workers are living in rented houses in various parts of the city. Some are living in tents on footpaths. Some others are finding shelter in bus and railway stations. The intention of the government is to provide suitable accommodation to such people," said Kamath.

He further said, "In the last lockdown migrant workers had to wander. District administration did not have any information with regards to their numbers. It was a challenge to provide them food and shelter during the first lockdown. When a housing facility is provided to migrant workers, the administration will also know their exact numbers.

"District administration will finalize the type of migrant workers to be accommodated in the new housing facility. Selection of labourers is the responsibility of the district administration. Building will be constructed by the government. Migrant workers will use it as a temporary facility. Discussions are on to collect minimum maintenance amount also from them. Final decision is yet to be taken in this regard. Labourers of outstation states will be given opportunity for accommodation under this arrangement,” he said.

According to the details provided by the district administration to the state government during the first lockdown, more than 50,000 labourers from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu were working in various taluks of the district including Mangaluru. More than 20,000 labourers belonging to other districts of Karnataka were working in various sectors. Most of them, who had returned to their native states and districts, have come back. However, some have stayed back in their villages.