West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extended warm greetings to the state’s residents on Vishwakarma Puja, a Hindu festival celebrating Lord Vishwakarma, the divine architect and patron of artisans, engineers, and workers. In a post on X at 11:00 AM IST, Banerjee announced a state government holiday to honor the occasion, with a special emphasis on recognizing the contributions of migrant laborers. The festival, observed annually on September 17, sees workers across sectors like construction, manufacturing, and craftsmanship worship their tools and seek blessings for skill and prosperity.

To support migrant workers, Banerjee urged those who left West Bengal for employment elsewhere to return, offering a financial incentive of Rs 5,000 per worker for 12 months or until they secure local jobs. Speaking at a public distribution event in Jalpaiguri last week, she highlighted that approximately 24,000 migrant families have already returned under her government’s rehabilitation initiatives. This aligns with her administration’s focus on reintegrating workers through schemes like the 2023 Migrant Workers’ Welfare Board, which provides skill training and job placement assistance.

The holiday declaration and financial aid reflect Banerjee’s broader efforts to bolster local economies in a state where over 20 lakh workers migrated for work between 2020 and 2024, according to state labor department data. Vishwakarma Puja, marked by factory pujas and community feasts, holds cultural significance in West Bengal, with industrial hubs like Howrah and Durgapur hosting vibrant celebrations. Banerjee’s gesture aims to uplift morale among laborers, many of whom face precarious conditions in other states, amid her ongoing push for industrial revival through policies like the 2025 West Bengal Industrial Promotion Scheme.

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The Trinamool Congress (TMC) government’s move comes as opposition parties criticize its handling of unemployment, with the BJP alleging insufficient job creation. Banerjee countered such claims, citing projects like the Rs 10,000-crore Siliguri Industrial Park, expected to generate 50,000 jobs by 2027. As workshops and factories across Kolkata, Asansol, and other cities paused for festivities, Banerjee’s message resonated with workers, reinforcing her commitment to their welfare while celebrating West Bengal’s cultural heritage.

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