The Intensive Household Survey has indeed provided an opportunity of reunion with their family members for those migrated to far off areas in search of livelihood in Medak, Nizamabad and Karimnagar districts. Reports indicate that a large number of migrants are returning to their native places in these three districts.
In Medak district, an estimated 50,000 people mostly hailing from Siddipet, Dubbak and Gajwel have settled in Bhiwandi, Surat, Sholapur, Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra. Most of them hail from the weavers’ community and work in power looms.
After announcement of the survey by the government, most of them booked their tickets in trains to reach Hyderabad and those who could not get train reservations were depending on bus services. Some of them were even stated to have contacted the TRS MPs requesting for arrangement of special trains so that they could reach their villages in time to participate in the survey.
“It was expected that more than 20,000 people staying outside may come on August 19 to participate in the survey. Many are not ready lose the chance,” said L. Ravi, who earlier worked as a supervisor in a power loom industry in Maharashtra.
“We have information that large numbers of people are returning to their native places on that day to participate in the survey. However, we do not have information on the exact number,” said Medak District Revenue Officer Dayanand.
In Karimangar distrit, power loom weavers from Sircilla textile town migrated to Bhiwandi, Sholapur and Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra are returning now.
Sensing that their ration cards and housing schemes could be cancelled, the power loom weavers have been returning for the last two days. Power loom Weavers Trade Únion leaders say that more than 3,000 weavers had settled in Bhiwandi, Sholapur and other parts of Maharahstra.
Another 2,000-odd families, who had also settled down in Bhiwandi and Sholapur regions were running their own powerlooms.
“Following the media coverage and the officials’ statements, people fear that their ration cards would be cancelled if they are not present during the survey,” said Samalla Mallesham, AITUC leader of Sircilla textile town.
Muninder, a powerloom weaver and native of Siiclla and presently settled in Bhiwandi, said: “I don’t have any identity proof such as Aadhar card or ration card in Sircilla. But I own a house. I was told to come back to native village to participate in household survey. But, I am worried about enrolment of details in the survey as I do not have any identity proof in the district.”
A majority of people living in neighbouring Maharashtra come in trains and alight at the Kamareddy station and board RTC bus to reach Sircilla.
