AP to allot funds to help over 2,900 migrant workers, pilgrims stranded in other states

Vijayawada: Chief Minister Y.S Jagan Mohan Reddy reviewed cases of 2,976 people who are stranded outside Andhra Pradesh and directed officials to extend all possible support to comfort the Telugu people in these trying times. He also agreed to provide the necessary funds for the purpose.

Jagan said those stranded in various places outside Andhra are mostly migrant workers and fishermen from Srikakulam, besides a few pilgrims. Around 400 pilgrims are stranded in 16 ashrams in Varanasi. Sundara Sastry, a trustee of Andhra ashram, was requested to coordinate and help the pilgrims. Officials have contacted P. Guruparasad, the Excise commissioner of UP, who has extended his help. Ration is being supplied to them at regular intervals and all pilgrims are being cared for.

Meanwhile, 30 pilgrims from Guntur district are stranded at Rama Palace in Gorakhpur, UP. The district administration and Mr Guruprasad is providing ration and support to them, too. Also, 21 pilgrims from Kurnool are stranded in a lodge in Ajmer, Rajasthan. Over 500 fishermen from Srikakulam are stranded in boats and also offshore in Kasimedu, Chennai. Twenty-five pilgrims from Kadapa have been stranded near Madgaon in Goa. The respective district administrations in these areas are providing ration to the fishermen and the pilgrims.

Over 1,200 fishermen from Srikakulam are also stranded at Veraval in Gujarat. Jagan wrote to Gujarat Chief Minister Satish Chandra and the government is giving them 2 kg rice, 1 kg Dal, and other essential commodities every alternate day.

Also, 300 mason workers are stranded in Coimbatore. The district administration is supplying rice, wheat, and other essential items at regular intervals to assist them. It was also found that around 500 migrant workers from Kurnool are stranded in Versova, Mumbai. The additional municipal commissioner, Mumbai, has extended support and is providing ration for 15 days.

Satish Chandra, special chief secretary to the Andhra government and the state nodal officer, has taken necessary steps and talked to his counterparts in other states and sought their help in providing support for the stranded Telugu people, the Chief Minister said.