Yogi offers jobs to six lakh migrants,fulfills promise

Lucknow,June 16(HS)The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.It was Robert Frost,an American poet who died nearly 57 years ago.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath is not a poet.So,he did not use such lines but he made a promise and has kept it.

He promised jobs to migrants and other labourers who had become jobless because of the lockdown which is still in force with certain relaxation.He has provided jobs to 57 lakh workers during  last four days,creating a record.

According to figures released on Tuesday by the state government, as many as 1,12,000 daily wagers were provided jobs on the first day,June 13.The number increased to over 3,35,300 the next day.It jumped to 44,1000 the third day.The rest were engaged on the fourth day.

Jobs were provided to  total 15 lakh new workers who had raised the total to 57 lakhs by Monday.Rajasthan followed with employment to 53 lakh workers in  last four days.All these workers were offered jobs under the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee and other such schemes.

Workers who were provided jobs on Monday accounted for 18 per cent of the total workers engaged on that day in the country.  Rajasthan held second position with 17 per cent.

Lakhs of migrant labourers  are already back in the state.Trains have been arranged to bring back the rest from Maharashtra and other parts.Over six lakh of them have been enrolled under the MNREGA scheme and provided job cards.

Efforts are on to create more job opportunities and to ensure that state labourers do not go outside for jobs.Many of them were ill-treated by employers outside and they are themselves not willing to return to them.They may face shortage of workers.