'Muster Rolls Have Not Come Out In My Village'

Q. Have you ever migrated from here? If yes, why did you choose that city or town?

Construction Worker: There is not enough work here or appropriate wages, so I keep migrating to nearby districts. At present I am working in a district 300 km away from here.

Q. Do your children migrate with you? If yes, do they attend school at the destination and are there any problems in seeking school admission?

Construction Worker: No, I migrate alone.

Q. Have you tried to avail benefits of the Public Distribution System (PDS) at your workplace by using One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme?

Construction Worker: I haven't migrated out of the state yet. I have heard that ration can be taken from anywhere, but I haven't started getting PDS ration yet.

Q. Are you registered with the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board?

Construction Worker: Yes, I am registered from my village.

Q. What documents did the respective authorities ask from you for various government schemes you have availed?

Construction Worker: I submitted various documents like Ration, Aadhar and BOCW card, along with a letter from Sarpanch to start getting PDS benefits. But even after a lot of work, I haven’t started receiving foodgrains.

I had to submit my Aadhar, a photo of my wife and I, and a Bhamashah card* to get work under MGNREGS. For health benefits under Chiranjivi Yojana**, I had to submit a copy of my Aadhar and Jan Aadhar on eMitra.

Q. Did you receive any benefits under BOCW?

Construction Worker: No, I did not get any benefits. Once, in 2019, I had even filled forms for my children's scholarships through my labour card, but till now money has not been given to us. I even raised the issue at the Block level but to no avail.

Q. Have you ever worked under MGNREGS?

Construction Worker: Yes, both me and my wife worked under MGNREGS before COVID-19. Ever since, muster rolls have not come out in my village for the scheme, so I quit working under it.

Q. Did you get any grant or money during the COVID-19 lockdown?

Construction Worker: During the COVID-19 period, ₹1,000 were credited in my cash account. I am not sure if they came from the Union or the state government.

This interview was conducted with a Construction Worker in Rajasthan in Hindi on 9 November 2022, and has been translated.

Image Credits: Image by Bishnu Sarangi from Pixabay

* Rajasthan Bhamashah Card Scheme is a scheme for improving the status of women in the society and providing them economic and social security.

** Under Rajasthan's the Chief Minister Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana, health insurance of up to five lakh rupees can be availed in selected government and private hospitals.