Harsh Dev seeks compensation for stranded labourers dying outside

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 9: Expressing his profound grief and sorrow over the tragic death of several labourers stranded outside their home States in extremely hostile conditions, Harsh Dev Singh, Chairman Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) and former Minister today reiterated his demand for early evacuation of all such work force.
He pointed out that majority of the workers held up outside were without food, shelter, medicines etc with all their savings having got exhausted.
“Their desperation was growing with each passing day and could have serious ramifications if not evacuated immediately,” said Singh.
Seeking compensation of Rs. 50 lakh for each of the NoKs of the stranded labourers who died outside their respective States due to lack of mobility and State imposed restrictions, Singh said that the Govt was duty bound to pay ex-gratia to their families.
He said that not only were 16 labourers killed on Railway Track in Aurangabad but mortal remains of several labourers had reached J&K as well.
He said that while the influential, rich and well connected people had managed their evacuation from other countries as well as outside States, it was the poor and marginalized sections alone who were left at the mercy of God in extremely disturbing and distressing environment outside.
Seeking immediate evacuation of all stranded labourers, Singh called upon the J&K Govt for issuance of a calendar for lifting the said work force from each of the States so that each labourer knows well in advance as to when he would be evacuated.