U.P. Migrants’ Commission

Uttar Pradesh is one of the weak states, which has seen some industrial activity in the last decade but overburdened with a high population. Periodical droughts and people fleeing to cities to avoid starvation are not uncommon. Many youths from the state are employed pan India, but their numbers remained unknown until the massive march back home by the migrants woke everyone up.

Till Monday 2.00 pm, as many as 1,174 trains have come to UP, through which 15.62 lakh migrant workers have arrived. Buses are operating from Rajasthan and Haryana. So far, around 24 lakh people have come to UP through trains, buses and other modes said Avanish Awasti, Addl. Chief Secretary, Home and Information, U.P. Many more are still spread out in different states in India.

Rattled by the bad publicity, Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister’s announced setting up a Migrants commission, which has come under flak from many quarters. The CM has stated that the other states intending to employ UP labourers must obtain prior permission from his government. Tiwari, the State Chief Secretary, added that it would ensure the safety and fair wages for the labourers. The CM has also assured to employ 20 lac youths through MSMEs in the State. Such promises by the government, be it Union or States, must be taken with a pinch of salt and are uttered only during election times.

Besides, it seems that the UP government thinks there is a shortage of workforce, which is not, and neither would it be in any foreseeable future. Labour is an employers’ market, and the UP Government must wait for the Centre’s recent announcement to implement a national wage base, including various reforms. Yogi had to eat a humble pie, withdrawing his earlier decision of 12 hours work per day, even as the International Labour Organisation has advised India to adhere to the internationally accepted labour norms.

If every state starts with similar moves, India could soon be merely linguistic states unbound and free emotionally from each other. The UP government’s move may not pass the scrutiny of the courts, as the constitution provides free access of all states to all Indians.

Someone’s difficulty is someone else’s opportunity and in this case the pitfalls of U.P. will be a windfall for the youths of West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand. I guess the CM will duly apply his mind in making lives of the workers simpler and worthier.

Sampath Kumar

Intrépide Voix