Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel writes to PM; says more than 1.6 lakh workers of Chhattisgarh stranded in other states due to lockdown.
Raipur, May 1, 2020 . Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has requested the prime minister to run a special train to bring back workers of Chhattisgarh stranded in other states.
In his letter the chief minister has stated that the instructions issued on April 29 by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for inter-state movement of workers, migrants will prove beneficial in restoring normalcy and economic activities in the state.
Drawing the prime ministers attention towards workers, migrants of the state who are stranded in other states and are unable to return due to lockdown, Mr Baghel said that the number of such workers is more than 1.6 lakh at present and taking care of the economic and mental condition of these workers, their homecoming becomes very important.
The chief minister said the Central Governments decision of imposing lockdown for prevention of Covid-19 helped in controlling the spread of this epidemic in the state, as a result of which the number of corona positive patients in the state is very less. He hoped that with coordination and cooperation the country will be able to overcome from this crisis soon.
The chief minister said that Chhattisgarh is coordinating with other states for return of these migrants and an action plan has been chalked out to bring back these workers through buses. However, it would be difficult to arrange buses and other infrastructure required for bring back these workers in such large numbers. Also, it will be extremely difficult to take care of the safety and convenience of these workers in long distance journey.Mr Baghel suggested that in the present situation point to point special trains could be run to ensure safety, convenience and hygiene of these workers. The state government has requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah in this regard. The chief minister requested the prime minister to take a quick decision regarding operating a special train for bringing back stranded labourers of Chhattisgarh from other states.
