Odisha Government to Tackle Distress Migration with Skill Training

Bhubaneswar, Aug 26 (PTI) The Odisha government has announced plans to provide skill training for individuals susceptible to migration, according to an official release. This decision emerged from the third meeting of the high-level task force on 'Distress Migration', chaired by Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo on Monday. The meeting revealed that migration rates have reduced somewhat due to a Rs 800 per quintal input assistance for farmers during the kharif and rabi seasons. Singh Deo, overseeing Agriculture & Farmers' Empowerment and Energy departments, stated, "A committee will be created to enhance household outcomes and reduce distressed migration, targeting labour sardars. These efforts will coordinate with enforcement officers, police, railway officials, and district administrations on a mission mode." The ruling BJP had pledged in its 2024 election manifesto to tackle the migration issue and provide in-state employment opportunities. The meeting directed its attention towards addressing distress migration's root causes, discussing actionable strategies to offer sustainable livelihoods to at-risk populations, and determined that migrant workers will receive skill enhancement training. Various ongoing government welfare initiatives like MGNREGS, Subhadra, input assistance for farmers, Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana (MKUY), Kamdhenu Yojana, goat rearing, and plantation programs were noted as potential solutions to mitigate migration issues. The meeting resolved to ensure full coverage of these welfare schemes for every household in migration-prone districts and blocks. To achieve this, a saturation drive will be conducted, with department officers and secretaries certifying complete coverage. Additional strategies introduced by the Labour, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, and Agriculture Departments aim to curb distress migration. These include increased irrigation support, canals, an extra 200 wage days for unskilled workers (state support to MGNREGS), Gramodaya, Model Gram Panchayat initiatives, and contract farming to match migration incomes. The meeting also resolved to investigate the causes of distressed migration, with Singh Deo announcing a survey by The Nudge Foundation. Using this survey and available governmental data, migrant workers will receive training to improve their skills. The state plans to implement targeted livelihood initiatives such as the Odisha PVTG Livelihood Model and the Mukhya Mantri Janjati Jeevika Mission to elevate incomes and reduce outmigration. Besides Singh Deo, the meeting included Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Women & Child Development, Mission Shakti, Tourism Pravati Parida, and ministers Suresh Pujari, Rabi Narayan Naik, Nityananda Gond, Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, Sampad Chandra Swain, Gokulananda Mallick, and their department secretaries.

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