Bihar sends a fact finding team to Punjab

Bihar government has rushed a two-member fact-finding team to Ludhiana in Punjab, a day after migrant labourers from the state clashed with police and locals over failure of the local administration to provide them protection from robbers’ gang, reports Vijay Swaroop.

Bihar government has rushed a two-member fact-finding team to Ludhiana in Punjab, a day after migrant labourers from the state clashed with police and locals over failure of the local administration to provide them protection from robbers’ gang.

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“The team comprising joint labour commissioner and deputy labour commissioner have been sent to Ludhiana on Saturday to assess the situation and hold talks with the officials of Punjab government,” said Principal Secretary, Labour Resources Department, Vyasji.

He said Bihar government was serious about the security of the migrant workers and the officials have also been instructed to look into the corrective steps being taken by Punjab government so that such incidents were not repeated in future and workers felt safe and secure. “The team will submit their report to the Bihar government soon after its return,” he said.

“Chief Secretary Bihar, Anup Mukherjee contacted his Punjab counterpart Saturday morning and expressed his deep concern over the attacks and requested him to provide proper security to Bihari labourers. The police should also listen to their grievances,” said Home Secretary Amir Subhani.

The Home Secretary also wrote a letter to his Punjab’s counterpart requesting him to intensify patrolling in areas inhabited by Bihari migrant labourers and provide protection to them in joining their work. “I also spoke to deputy commissioner in this regard. The situation is now calm and under control,” said Subhani.

Migrant labourers from Bihar and UP have contributed a lot in making Punjab a successful agriculture state. According to Punjab agriculture department’s estimate, the state requires nearly seven lakh labourers for sowing paddy and rabi in over 26 lakh hectares in state this season.

However, only 50 per cent of the requirement has reached Punjab so far, the report mentions.Ludhiana is an industrial city and home to big brands like the Hero and Oswal groups. Thousands of migrants from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and other states come here every year for jobs. Over one third of the city’s four million population consists of migrants.