Congress leader links rising fatalities to economic distress; BJP counters with welfare measures and growth claims
Guwahati: Gaurav Gogoi raised concerns over the rising number of deaths of migrant workers from Assam, alleging that the situation reflects deeper economic distress within the state.
In a public statement, the Assam Congress chief claimed that over 160 workers from the state had died in the past six months while working in different parts of the country, including industrial and construction sites. He argued that these incidents point to structural issues such as declining agricultural viability, low wages and limited local employment opportunities, which compel many to seek risky work outside Assam.
Gogoi also criticised the government led by Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing it of not adequately acknowledging the scale of the problem or prioritising it in governance. He described the situation as a failure of accountability and urged greater policy attention towards worker safety and livelihoods.
Responding to the criticism, the state government highlighted measures taken to assist affected families. Officials pointed to the ‘Shraddhanjali’ scheme under which bodies of deceased workers are brought back to Assam, along with financial assistance of up to Rs 5 lakh per family.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party also cited broader economic indicators, including infrastructure expansion and reported growth, as part of its efforts to reduce migration pressures over time. Party supporters, however, dismissed Gogoi’s remarks as politically timed criticism ahead of the Assembly elections.
With campaigning intensifying, the issue of migration and employment is emerging as a key talking point in the run-up to the polls.
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