(Image source from: Twitter.com/ANI)
Karnataka Government Criticized For Stopping The Trains For Migrants:- The Karnataka government stopped special trains that are carrying the migrant workers from the state back to their home. The action has been taken after the resumption of construction works in the state. BS Yeddyurappa government has been badly criticised and the decision evoked outrage. The Congress party said that the Karnataka government was holding the workers saying that they were not bonded labour. Ten special trains have been planned from Bengaluru to the northern states but were cancelled as per the request from the state government.
The decision to go back or to stay back should be with the labourers & not with the government. Labourers are free to choose health or work. Who will take responsibility if something goes wrong?
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 6, 2020
Are we still practicing bonded labour?
For me #MigrantLivesMatter!!
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"The decision to go back or to stay back should be with the labourers & not with the government. Labourers are free to choose health or work. Who will take responsibility if something goes wrong? Are we still practising bonded labour?" questioned Siddaramaiah through his twitter handle. Another senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar questioned if the government wishes to keep the labour captive. He said that the government along with the builders should give them incentives. Karnataka Chief Minister Yeddyurappa said that they wanted the migrant workers to stay back as the construction works in the state resumed now. He also said that they have sent one lakh people from other states to their homes already. The government announced Rs 5000 for construction workers which was a part of the Rs 1600 crore relief package.
