Why the MAKERS of Modern Goa from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, left in lurch?
State Government of Goa has all the data of its current undergoing projects and manpower deployed, 99% of whom are from outside the state. But still sheer apathy and contempt towards them.
On Saturday Night at 2330 hrs on 26th May 2024; 4 Migrant labourers were mowed down by a Mini Bus at Verna IDC, while they were sleeping at a roadside shanty, after work.
All of them were employed by a PWD Contractor tasked with building drains and other associated structures. The deceased as well as the injured hailed from East Champaran district of Bihar state.
Let's circle back to May 2020, when COVID was at its peak. Like elsewhere in the country, thousands of Migrant labourers were stuck in Goa and about 80,000 of them registered with the Goa Government to be sent back to their home state. Mostly Uttar Pradesh, Bihar.
https://www.news18.com/news/india/goa-cm-urges-migrants-to-stay-back-as-80000-register-to-go-home-amid-lockdown-2606465.html
Then and present Chief Minister, Mr.Pramod Sawant requested them to stay back.
The reasons were two fold. The state of Goa itself was grappling with severe resources crunch, in managing the COVID -19 pandemic and did not have resources to send these people home and also, the summer months are "Construction Season" in Goa with thousands of personal and government projects ON.
Food and shelter arrangment were made for about 2,500 labourers, engaged in critical work for the government.
https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/govt-making-food-shelter-arrangements-for-2-500-migrant-labourers-goa-cm-120032801278_1.html
Nodal officers were appointed in each of the two districts to oversee their state of welfare.
https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Govt-appoints-Nodal-Officers-to-cater-to-needs-of-migrant-labourers/174896
While there were funds released for the migrant construction workers, most of it was swindled off.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/goa-activists-allege-scam-in-scheme-meant-for-construction-workers-demand-probe/story-vV2j89EQSAsT91YucbRDNK_amp.html
As the pandemic was still raging on, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced the formation of "Migration Cell" in Goa to keep track of the migrant labourers and ensure their welfare and basic human rights.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/cm-announces-formation-of-migration-cell-in-goa/articleshow/80221907.cms
It's been 3 Years now, there has not been any information on how the "Migration Cell" has been performing and what they have achieved, except for the fact that, Government of Goa issued some 7,000 odd licensees to them, to work in the state.
https://goemkarponn.com/goa-govt-issued-licences-to-more-than-7000-migrant-workers-since-2019-says-minister/
Even if we take the figure of 80,000 migrant labourers who registered in May 2020, to be sent back home as 100%; it signifies 5% of the total population of Goa, according to 2011 Census.
While we all know that, this figure of Migrant labourers is way much higher , 4 Years hence.
At whose mercy they are on?
The migrant labourers, unlike the Tourist workers migrators, stay a much longer duration here in Goa, at least 10 months. They visit their home, once a year for festivals or agriculture related activities and then come back.
All the entire Government of Goa public and civil works is carried out by these migrant labourers, who wander from place to place, in search of work within the state.
Government of Goa has all the data of undergoing projects in the state, done by Government agencies, whether it is Underground electric cabling works, PWD works, WRD works or the Smart City project.
The Government also has the data of the number of persons employed by the Contractors and Sub-Contractsors as this is what the basis of financial estimate prepared for the Project.
While these government projects are displayed as monuments of Modern Goa like the Atal Setu, and the Zuari Bridge and touted as how progressive and development oriented the state is; THE MAKERS of present day Goa, the migrant labourers are left in the lurch and as displayed in the unfortunate incident of 26th May, are sometimes even at the mercy of the drivers on the road.
While there has been a lot of talks about the welfare and rights of the migrant labourers in Goa; it's like once in a blue moon euphoria. And then, all forgotten.
https://www.gomantaktimes.com/news/goa/strengthening-social-protection-and-health-of-migrant-workers-in-goa
With the "Double Engine" Government at both state and centre, which talks about being a "Welfare State" the sheer absence welfare of the migrant labourers who build the "Modern Goa" can be seen almost everywhere. Mostly besides the roads of the State.
What stops the State Government to critically enforce the welfare of these labourers, by making stringent conditions for the welfare of them on the Contractors and Sub-Contractsors, before awarding them the work?
((Family and Friends of the 4 Labourers Killed at Verna IDC, putting forth their demands : Pic Courtesy of Herald Goa ))
Talking about "Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam" and not even bothering about basic sanitation facilities for these labourers, is hilarious to say the least.
Chief Minister Sawant grandiously declared Goa as Open Defecation Free, long way back. Does he understand, those living in tin sheet shanties, go where to relieve themselves , when nature calls?
https://www.freepressjournal.in/goa/goa-draft-policy-favours-promoting-rights-of-migrant-workers
The matter of fact is that every single Government of Goa project is based and hence possible only on the availability of these labourers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Uttar Pradesh has a BJP ruled government since eons and Bihar's ruling party has tied up with BJP for present Lok Sabha Election.
A little welfare for them, would go a long way in promoting the ruling party's name in the home state of these labourers; but then, that's common sense.
https://dishafoundation.ngo/migrationanddevGOA.html
Just a year back, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also said that 90% of the Crimes committed in the state are by the migrants labourers of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/90-of-crimes-in-goa-due-to-migrant-labourers-from-bihar-uttar-pradesh-cm-sawant/article66802587.ece
Why this happened, he never pondered over it?
With everyone in the State taking them for a ride and treating them with apathy and not bothering about them at all; why would they bother about the State? If they are "foreign" to the state; the state also becomes "foreign" to them. In between, “GHATI” and “BHAIYA” , all they get is contempt and lack of even basic sanitation.
https://www.heraldgoa.in/Cafe/An-anatomy-of-migration-in-Goa/156175
Government of Goa cannot intervene everywhere in the state for the basic welfare and rights of the migrant labourers, but surely, it can intervene, in its own projects.
The Goal is to make them inclusive of the diaspora of Goa.
While they can survive without Goa, the truth is, Goa cannot survive without them.
While the list is long of what can be done, let's start with basic sanitation and hygiene. That shall also help keep the state clean.