Mangaluru: MLA U T Khader on Friday, May 8, urged the government to extend financial assistance to beedi workers, tailors, bus and lorry employees and other workers as they are struggling to survive during the lockdown.

Welcoming Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa’s move to announce financial assistance to flower growers, saloon owners and autorickshaw drivers, Khader informed that over 95 per cent of the tailors have been facing difficulties since the lockdown. “It is very sad that they are out of the Chief Minister’s list. Meanwhile, over 2.5 lakh beedi workers from the Dakshin Kannada district are also struggling. Hence, a package should be announced for them as well,” he said.

Pointing out to the incident where migrant labourers gathered in front of the railway station assuming that the district administration had made arrangements for them to go back to their native places, Khader alleged that the administration did not make any arrangements as they have bowed to the pressure from the builders’ lobby.

“When all the other districts have taken steps to send the migrant labourers to their villages, why not Dakshina Kannada?” he questioned and urged that appropriate measures be taken to send the migrant labourers home immediately.