Thuamul Rampur: In response to allegations regarding the illegal transport of migrant workers, a collaborative team from the Kalahandi district labour department, Regional Transport Office (RTO), and local police halted a bus destined for Keralam, imposing fines between Rs 17,000 and Rs 20,000 for several infractions.
This action was prompted by reports from OrissaPOST that indicated buses were unlawfully moving workers from the Thuamul Rampur region to other states.
The bus was intercepted near Kathakura on Tuesday while it was there to collect workers. Authorities discovered that the vehicle was missing essential documentation, including pollution clearance, an Odisha permit, vehicle tax, insurance, driving license, and other necessary papers.
The RTO has issued fines totaling around Rs 17,000 to Rs 20,000 so far, and this amount may increase, with the final penalty to be assessed by the RTO at the district headquarters.
Despite the region’s wealth in bauxite resources, many young people from Kalahandi are still migrating to Keralam.
Individuals from Adiguna village, along with Rajesh Naik from Jhulkaguda and two other young workers, informed officials that they were seeking employment in Keralam due to the lack of job opportunities in their local area.
They reported that even when they found jobs under government programs, their earnings were only between Rs 150 and Rs 200 weekly, with delays in payment lasting months. Faced with limited options to support their families, they expressed a desire to seek work out of state.
One worker stated, “We could earn between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500 a day in Kerala.” They had paid Rs 3,000 for the bus fare and were on a bus that reportedly departs for Kerala every Tuesday to work as migrant laborers.
The Labour Department advised the workers to register with their local panchayats and the department before moving outside the state, in line with government regulations, to facilitate safer migration.
Authorities also cautioned that vehicles transporting workers must have complete legal documentation and valid permits. The bus has been confiscated and is currently held at the police station.
