Maharashtra: Workers from UP made to pay Rs 595 for Shramik ticket

AURANGABAD: Two days after 16 migrant workers died in a train mishap, the district administration on Sunday arranged for a special train to help stranded people to reach Uttar Pradesh from Jalna.
Around 1,154 migrants boarded the train that left for Unnao from Jalna railway station at 6pm. In order to avoid crowding at the station and nearby areas, the district administration had imposed curfew in the entire city. Politicians, including Jalna BJP MP Raosaheb Danve and Congress MLA Kailas Gorantyal, were present during the departure.
However, amid different claims made by the Centre and the state government, about bearing the travel expenses of migrant workers travelling to their hometowns, those who boarded the Shramik special train on Sunday had to pay Rs 595 for getting a seat.
Earlier, TOI had highlighted how migrants from eight districts of Marathwada were forced to board the trains from Aurangabad despite four other districts from the region having rail connectivity.
Jalna sub-divisional officer Keshav Netke said the health check-up of all migrant worksrs was carried out before allowing them to board the train. “We provided them face masks, food and packaged drinking water for their journey. The railways is expected to provide them lunch tomorrow (on Monday),” he said.
Jalna district collector Ravindra Binwade said another Shramik special train has been planned for Unnao on May 12. "Considering the number of migrant population from Uttar Pradesh, we have decided to run another train to Unnao. The departure timing of train will be announced shortly," he said.
Even if four out of eight Marathwada districts — Jalna, Nanded, Parbhani and Latur — have rail-connectivity, migrants in these districts were compelled to reach all the way to Aurangabad for boarding Shramik special train for reaching their home states during the current extended lockdown.
The 16 migrants, who died on Friday morning, were part of a group from Jalna. They had undertaken the journey on foot to reach Aurangabad in order to board the special train.
Meanwhile, the fact that the poor migrant workers had to pay for their own tickets drew flak. Labour leader Ram Baheti said it was ironical that neither the government, nor the political parties were paying for the travel of stranded workers. “These workers do not have money to make ends meet. Instead of offering them timely help, they are asked to pay Rs 595, which is a big amount for them,” he said.
Binwade said, “The railway authorities had offered us journey tickets for all workers in bulk after paying the necessary amount. We tried to contact authorities in UP government seeking the release of money towards the train fares, but no favourable response was received. When we discussed the issue with the workers, they expressed their willingness to pay themselves.”
Binwade said a group of stranded workers recently left for MP onboard a Shramik train from Aurangabad, but they did not have to pay as the MP government took care of their tickets.
Upinder Singh, divisional railway manager for South Central Railway (SCR), said the Indian Railways was charging money towards journey of passengers boarding Shramik special trains from respective district administrations. “The respective district administration can recover money from the state governments or raise it from charity or CSR funds. We can’t offer free travel as these trains are already running half of the loading capacity," he said.
BJP MP Bhagwat Karad said migrants reaching states ruled by his party would get the money reimbursed. “Certain communication gap must have occurred between Jalna administration and Uttar Pradesh government. We have contact details of all stranded workers who boarded the train for Unnao and they will get complete refund,” he said.