A significant initiative by the West Bengal Migrant Workers Welfare Board has enabled a vast number of the state's migrant labourers to participate in a crucial voter list revision process. The board's chairman, Samirul Islam, provided these details on Monday, highlighting both the success of the outreach and the ongoing concerns faced by this mobile workforce.
Massive Outreach for Voter Enrollment
According to Samirul Islam, the board undertook a comprehensive campaign to assist migrant workers with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The board directly sent explanatory messages to a staggering 30 lakh registered migrant workers. Furthermore, it operated dedicated call services for nearly a month, managing to cover and assist 2.2 lakh workers through this channel.
This proactive approach ensured that a majority of the registered individuals were informed and could take the necessary steps. Islam noted that in most instances, the Booth Level Officers (BLOs) were already aware of villagers working in other states, which facilitated the process.
The Looming Concern of Physical Hearings
Despite the successful outreach, Chairman Islam pointed out a major worry plaguing the migrant community. He revealed that workers are anxious about potential requirements for physical appearance at hearings. For someone working in distant cities like Mumbai or Delhi, the travel cost to West Bengal could range between Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000, not accounting for the consequential loss of daily wages.
Addressing this issue, Islam referenced Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee's statement that the Election Commission (EC) had issued no notification mandating physical presence for migrant workers. "Who will pay for their train? The EC should pay for it," Islam asserted, echoing the demand for the poll body to bear the financial burden if such travel is enforced.
Helpline and Assistance
While exact data on how many migrants were summoned for hearings was not available, the board ensured all workers were informed about the procedure. Each was provided with a helpline number to seek assistance for any issues encountered during the Special Intensive Revision process. This step was crucial in offering real-time support to workers often located far from their home constituencies.
The board's efforts underscore the challenges in ensuring electoral participation for India's vast migrant population, balancing administrative procedures with the practical and economic realities faced by the workers.
