Farmers Movement Archive

Punjab farmers go the extra mile to bring back migrants from Bihar, UP

BARNALA: Farmers from Punjab are spending lakhs of rupees to bring back migrant workers from places in Bihar like Purnia, Motihari, Chapra, and many other districts so that their paddy can be transplanted. They are doing the same in districts like Pilibhit, Mirzapur and Jaunpur in UP. A bus to any district in Bihar to bring back 35-40 persons costs between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.20 lakh, while one to the relatively nearer districts in UP charge Rs 65,000-75,000. Some of the migrants received a hero’s welcome when their buses arrived in the villages of Barnala, Punjab, on Friday evening. At present, nearly a dozen buses from various villages of the Punjab district are in Bihar and UP. Immediately on arrival, the migrant workers are tested for Covid-19 and are not allowed to work or go to any locality till the report comes in negative. They are kept in isolated motor rooms in the fields. The paddy crop, including Basmati, is expected to be transplanted in 27 lakh hectares. A major part of it is done manually. BKU Lakhowal’s Barnala district president, Jagseer Singh, told TOI, "We have brought 65 migrant workers in two buses from Motihari in Bihar and Pilibhit in UP. Tests of all 65 workers were conducted at Barnala on Saturday and we will get the reports on Monday. Till then, they will stay in motor rooms in the fields." Farmer Gurpreet Singh of Patti village, speaking to TOI over the phone from Purnia, said half a dozen farmers have sent three buses.

The Times of India

2020-06-07

India