Kolkata, Aug. 19 -- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has launched a new rehabilitation initiative, the "Shramshree" scheme, aimed at Bengali migrant workers returning to the state after alleged harassment and discrimination in other states for speaking Bengali.

Banerjee, while addressing the media on Monday, said, "Due to speaking Bengali, other states declared them criminals. Twenty-two lakh migrant workers from West Bengal are working in other states. Today, they are suffering for speaking Bengali."

Under the Shramshree scheme, each returning worker will receive Rs5,000 per month for a year or until they secure new employment in Bengal.

She said, "A new scheme for migrant workers, Shramshree, will soon start in West Bengal....