Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said her government would offer loans of up to Rs 5 lakh to each migrant worker back from Haryana in the wake of communal violence that broke out on July 31 in order to start a business in Bengal.

“Those who have returned from Haryana and want to start their own business here, we will arrange a loan of Rs 5 lakh for them. We welcome them to approach us for the loan,” said Mamata at a convention of the imams and muezzins at the Netaji Indoor Stadium here.

A source said around 150 migrant workers and their families fled Haryana to return home in Malda, Murshidabad and North and South Dinajpurs following right-wing threats in the wake of the recent communal violence.

“I had sent my team to Haryana to know the situation there. The team headed by Samirul Islam (Rajya Sabha member) reported to me in detail after visiting the area. Migrant workers from Bengal have returned,” she said.

Mamata had sent Samirul to Haryana’s Nuh last week with a message to the Muslim community that her party would stand by them.

Though Mamata did not share in detail the terms and conditions of the loan, a senior state government official said it would be offered under the West Bengal Bhabishyat Credit Card Scheme (WBBCCS).

The state will provide a 15 per cent guarantee of money and an 85 per cent loan guarantee through the credit guarantee trust for small entrepreneurs.

“It is a soft and subsidised loan for small entrepreneurs... As this is a soft loan, the rate of interest will be lower than market rates,” an official said.

Some migrant workers back from Haryana told this correspondent that they welcomed the scheme.

“We could not set up our business because we lacked capital. If the government helps us to get a loan of Rs 5 lakh, there is no question of stepping out of the state and leaving our families behind.... We want to thank our chief minister for thinking about us,” said Saidur Rahaman, a resident of Teliapara in South Dinajpur, who returned from Gurgaon as he was scared.

Mamata claimed migrant workers would not have to move to other states in search of jobs as several industries would come up in the state shortly. She also reminded people of the present political scenario where the safety of migrants, especially Muslims, is at stake.

“If one steps out of the state for work, their living expenses increase.... Under the regime of the current (BJP) government in the country, you don’t have any safety and security in states outside Bengal,” she said.

Mamata referred to several upcoming industries in Bengal to reassure migrant workers. “Three economic corridors are coming up in the state with an array of projects. The development will generate jobs. The single Deucha Pachami coal mine project will generate 1 lakh jobs,” said Mamata, requesting workers not to leave Bengal.