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So far, Bihar has received most workers through Shramik Specials, WB the least: Data

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Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : May 05 2020 | 10:02 PM IST

Bihar has received the maximum number of migrant labourers through special trains so far and West Bengal the least, data accessed by the PTI shows, with officials indicating that the latter was "stalling" the movement of its workers stranded in other states.

TMC MP and leader of the party in Rajya Sabha, Derek O'Brien, however, said the West Bengal government was doing "all it takes" to fight the coronavirus pandemic, and accused the Centre of playing politics.

The data shows that most migrant labourers have moved from Gujarat to their home states in about 35 Shramik Special trains so far, followed by Kerala from where 13 such trains have left.

Among the receiving states, Bihar has accepted 13 trains, with 11 more currently on the journey and six in the pipeline, the data shows.

Neighbouring Uttar Pradesh has received 10 such trains and five more are on their way, with 12 in the pipeline, the data shows.

The West Bengal government has, however, given clearance to only two trains -- one each from Rajasthan and Kerala -- and they are on their journeys to the state, the data shows.

A senior official said, "While other states which have their migrant workers in other parts of the country are accepting their labourers, West Bengal is stalling (the process). Two trains -- from Thane to Shalimar and another from Bangalore to Howrah -- which were supposed to run today, did not get clearance from the West Bengal despite both the originating state governments pushing for it."

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First Published: May 05 2020 | 10:02 PM IST

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