13 Bidar Daily Wagers Killed in 4 Years on NH-65, Sparking Employment Concerns
Thirteen daily wage laborers from Bidar, mostly women, have died in road accidents on National Highway 65 over the past four years while returning from work in neighboring Telangana. The recurring tragedies highlight a critical local employment shortage and raise questions about government work sche
Key takeaways
- Thirteen daily wage workers from Bidar have died in road accidents on NH-65 over four years while traveling to work in Telangana.
- The victims, predominantly women, faced perilous commutes due to a lack of local employment opportunities.
- Disparities in wages between government schemes and work in neighboring states contribute to worker migration.
- Concerns exist regarding the effective implementation and accessibility of local employment programs like VB-GRAM G.
Thirteen daily wage laborers from Bidar have died in road accidents on National Highway 65 in the last four years, with twelve of the victims being women. These workers commuted to neighboring Telangana for daily wage work, and the accidents occurred as they returned home.
What Happened
The most recent incident on Tuesday night involved an autorickshaw carrying 12 workers from Rajgira village being struck by a speeding tanker near Zahirabad in Telangana. Six people died immediately in this collision. This event has renewed concerns about the safety of migrant workers and the reasons behind their migration.
Background
Villagers attribute the necessity of migrating for work to a lack of consistent local employment opportunities. The victims are described as coming from impoverished families, with several being the primary income earners. The VB-GRAM G employment scheme offers wages of ₹382, while work in other states can yield ₹500 to ₹800. A previous major accident on November 4, 2022, resulted in the deaths of seven laborers from Udumanalli village in a collision with a lorry near Bemalkheda, also while returning from Telangana.
Why It Matters
The deaths underscore a significant challenge in rural employment. Local residents and former officials have voiced concerns that inadequate provision of work under employment guarantee schemes is forcing people to undertake risky commutes. The disparity in wages between local schemes and work available in neighboring states is a key factor pushing migration.
Key Facts
- 13 daily wage laborers from Bidar constituency have died in accidents on National Highway 65 in the last four years.
- Twelve of the 13 victims were women.
- The latest accident occurred on Tuesday night near Zahirabad in Telangana, involving an autorickshaw and a speeding tanker, killing six people.
- A previous accident on November 4, 2022, killed seven laborers from Udumanalli village returning from Telangana.
- Local employment programs, such as VB-GRAM G, offer wages of ₹382, while work in neighboring states can pay ₹500 to ₹800.
- Concerns have been raised about the cancellation of job cards under the VB-GRAM G program, forcing registered workers to seek employment elsewhere.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
Related stories
Supreme Court Criticizes FSSAI Over Delayed Food Warning Labels
Rahul Gandhi labels BJP-RSS 'jokers'; BJP accuses him of 'arrogance'
Chief Minister Vijay Inaugurates ₹95 Crore Infrastructure at Ranipet SIPCOT Complex
