WB CM Suvendu Adhikari gives ₹5 lakh aid to families of 11 Sikkim tunnel victims, promises local jobs

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday handed over compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the family members of 11 migrant workers from the state killed at under-construction tunnel in Sikkim’s Namchi on July 20. He also promised that migrant workers will soon get employment opportunities here.

The Chief Minister also promised jobs as home guards to one family member of these 11 families.

“There was no employment in West Bengal, so deceased workers went to other states for work. The state government is trying to change the situation and gradually job opportunities for migrant workers will be created and they will start returning here.”


Speaking to media persons, Adhikari said that because of employment opportunities shrinking in the state following the flight of industrial units during the previous Trinamool Congress regime, many youths were forced to work as migrant workers in other states.

He also announced that three helplines will be announced for the people by the Chief Secretary tomorrow.

He said around 12 tea gardens will be reopened within three months in North Bengal, out of the 25 closed tea gardens. Meanwhile, some milk-products manufacturing companies would be provided 15 acres of land each in South Bengal and North Bengal for setting up manufacturing units.