The Shramashree Scheme West Bengal is a significant welfare initiative launched by the Government of West Bengal. This new scheme for workers, a key program by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is specifically designed to provide a comprehensive rehabilitation package for Bengali migrant workers who have been forced to return to their home state. The scheme serves as a crucial safety net, offering financial support, social security, and new opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.

What is the Shramashree Scheme?

The Shramashree Scheme is a state-funded program initiated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to support migrant workers returning to West Bengal. It provides immediate financial assistance and helps reintegrate them into the state’s social and economic framework. This West Bengal government financial support is administered through the state’s Labour Department.

What are the Objectives of this Scheme?

The primary objectives of the WB migrant worker scheme are to:

  • Provide a dignified and secure return for Bengali migrant workers.
  • Offer immediate financial relief to help with the transition back home.
  • Ensure access to essential social services and welfare programs.
  • Provide skill development and employment opportunities within West Bengal.
  • Promote self-reliance and entrepreneurship among the beneficiaries.

Benefits or Advantages of this Scheme?

The scheme provides a multi-faceted range of benefits:

  • Financial Assistance: A one-time travel grant of ₹5,000 and a monthly rehabilitation allowance of ₹5000 aid migrant workers for up to one year or until the worker finds a new job.
  • Integrated Social Security: Access to state schemes like Khadya Sathi (food security) and Swasthya Sathi (health insurance) for the entire family.
  • Education for Children: Assistance for enrolling the children of migrant workers in state schools.
  • Accommodation Support: Temporary accommodation in community kitchens or other shelters for workers who do not have a home.
  • Skill Development & Employment: Free vocational training under the Utkarsh Bangla scheme and issuance of Job Cards under the Karmashree Scheme to guarantee employment opportunities.
  • Self-Employment Support: Opportunities to avail government loans on easy terms to start new businesses.

Who will Receive Benefits from this Scheme?

The benefits of this scheme are exclusively for Bengali migrant workers who have returned to West Bengal after working in other states or countries.

Who Can and Cannot Apply?

Who Can Apply:

  • A Bengali migrant worker from West Bengal.
  • Someone who has returned to West Bengal and has proof of their original residency (e.g., Aadhaar, EPIC).

Who Cannot Apply:

  • Anyone who is not a migrant worker from West Bengal.
  • Individuals who are still working outside of West Bengal and have not returned.

What are the Eligibility Criteria for Applying?

To be eligible, an applicant must:

  • Be a migrant worker from West Bengal who has returned to the state.
  • Have valid documents proving their residential address in West Bengal.
  • Register themselves on the official portal or through the dedicated app.
  • Possess a valid bank account for receiving the financial assistance.

Which Documents are Required for Application?

Applicants need to have the following documents ready:

  • Aadhaar Card or EPIC (Voter ID) with a West Bengal address.
  • Bank Passbook (with account details for Direct Benefit Transfer).
  • Active Mobile Number.
  • Domicile Certificate.
  • A recent passport-size photograph.
  • Migrant Worker Registration Number (if previously registered).

How to Apply

The Shramashree Scheme application process is designed to be user-friendly and can be completed through several channels. To get the Shramashree Parakalpa official details and apply, you can follow these methods:

  1. Online Registration: The primary method is to register through the official Shramashree portal or a dedicated mobile application (the Shramashree App download).
  2. Duare Sarkar Camps: Applicants can also register by visiting the “Duare Sarkar” (Government at Your Doorstep) camps organized by the state government.
  3. Migrant Workers’ Welfare Board: Assistance and guidance for the application process are also available through the newly established Migrant Workers’ Welfare Board.