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Clandestine money transfer — the only method they know

BERHAMPUR: Around five lakh Oriya migrant labourers from Ganjam district working in Surat have more faith in clandestine money transfer agents called ‘Tapawala’ than post office or bank.

These illiterate labourers pay good commission for the money transfer from their work place to home. Despite operating illegally, these money transfer units have offices in Surat and rural areas of Ganjam district. Neither the administration nor the police crack down on this illegal system on the plea that they have not received any complaint regarding it.

Under ‘Project Setu’ initiated by Aruna, Catholic Relief Services and LEPRA Society for migrant labourers and people living with HIV/AIDS, an effort was made to motivate migrant labourers in Surat to transfer money to their kin through core banking. This move was opposed by the organised “Tapawala’ cartel. According to Loknath Mishra of Aruna, they could only open only around 40 passbooks with core banking facility for migrant labourers in Surat. According to sources, 28 major ‘Tapawala’ units operate in Ganjam district. Most of them are in Aska and Kavisuryanagar area. The operators are also moneyed and powerful in Surat. They are also said to be running pornographic video parlours for labourers and indulging in other clandestine deals. They also enjoy proximity to political power in Surat as they have a large Oriya workforce attached to them due to money transactions. One Tapawala’s son also got elected as a councillor in Surat. As for rates for money transfer, general commission is Rs. 50 per Rs. 1000 and it may go up to Rs. 120 for speedy money transfer. It all works on faith and phone calls. They also hand over money in bulk to receiver in Ganjam while they collect the amount on instalment on heavy interest of around 10 per cent per month in Surat. The family members of migrant labourers in Ganjam feel that it is the only way of money transfer.

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