With just months to go for the Assembly elections in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday announced a new scheme aimed at migrant workers from the state who return home. The scheme, titled ‘Shramashree’, was approved at a state cabinet meeting earlier in the day and described by the Chief Minister as being “as big as Lakshmir Bhandar” in scale and impact.
Addressing at Nabanna, the state secretariat, after the cabinet meeting, Mamata said that Bengali workers were facing “continuous oppression” in several BJP-ruled states. “Many are losing jobs, not getting fair wages or minimum respect. The state government is introducing Shramashree in their interest,” she said.
The direct benefit transfer scheme ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ provides monthly financial assistance to homemakers— ₹1,200 for women from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and ₹1,000 for others. Political observers believe the scheme played a crucial role in helping the ruling TMC consolidate support among women voters, who constitute nearly 50 per cent of the state’s electorate. Similarly, they view the newly announced ‘Shramashree’ scheme as a calculated move to woo migrant workers ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections in Bengal.
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Under the new scheme, workers returning to Bengal will receive a rehabilitation allowance of ₹5,000 per month for one year, a health card and housing support under the Awas Yojana if they lack a permanent residence. Financial assistance will also be extended for the education of their children and they will be covered under existing social security schemes.
According to the state government, the scheme will initially benefit 22.4 lakh workers who have already registered on the official portal. The Chief Secretary will directly monitor its implementation and effectiveness. Calling the initiative a “bridge to return home,” Mamata said, “These workers are our pride, the state government will take all measures to protect their dignity.”
The move comes at a time when the Trinamool Congress has been stepping up its attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party over alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in BJP-ruled states under the guise of action against Bangladeshi infiltrators. Political observers see the scheme as a bid to consolidate the migrant vote bank ahead of the high-stakes polls.
However, the Opposition has been quick to criticise the announcement. BJP spokesperson Sajal Ghosh termed the scheme “another scam in the making,” questioning the feasibility of rehabilitating such a large number of workers. “This government has failed to create job opportunities. This money will be looted just like funds were siphoned off through fake job cards in the 100-day work scheme,” he alleged.
Former Pradesh Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury echoed the criticism, describing the announcement as an “election gimmick.” He said, “There is no permanent solution here. This is just a trick to buy votes so that those so-called 22 lakh migrant workers return to Bengal at least on polling day.”
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