Distress migration refers to the involuntary movement of individuals or households due to extreme poverty, natural disasters, or other adverse conditions that leave them with no alternative for survival. It is often a last resort for maintaining dignity and livelihood, affecting marginalized populations, including women, children, the elderly, and those belonging to disadvantaged social groups. The phenomenon highlights the stark inequalities and vulnerabilities in rural and economically fragile areas of India.
Internal Migration: Facts and Figures (Census 2011)
According to the 2011 Census, India had 45.36 crore internal migrants, accounting for 37% of the population. This includes both intra-state and inter-state migration, with 88% occurring within state boundaries. Among these, rural-to-rural migration dominated, largely driven by reasons such as marriage and family. States like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were the largest sources of out-migrants, while Maharashtra and Delhi emerged as key destination states.
The 2017 Report of the Working Group on Migration revealed that 17 districts accounted for 25% of India’s total male out-migration, with Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha being prominent contributors. Similarly, the Economic Survey of 2016-17 emphasized that less-developed states such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh experienced high net out-migration, while more developed states like Delhi, Goa, and Maharashtra witnessed net immigration.
Key Challenges faced by migrants include:
- Social exclusion and marginalization: Migrants often face cultural and linguistic barriers, leading to feelings of alienation and second-class citizenship.
- Access to social benefits: Migrants lack portability in accessing public services like food rations and healthcare due to documentation issues such as proof of residence.
- Unsafe working and living conditions: The lack of affordable housing and adherence to minimum safety standards makes their urban life precarious.
- Political disenfranchisement: Migrant workers often cannot vote due to the absence of voting mechanisms in their work locations.
Distress Migration in Odisha: A Case Study
Odisha presents a stark example of distress migration, driven by economic deprivation, climate vulnerabilities, and agricultural challenges. The Odisha Migration Survey 2023 offers a comprehensive insight into these patterns:
- 30% of households rely on agriculture as their primary income source, but landlessness and small landholdings leave many families vulnerable.
- About 33% of migrants are landless, and 40% own less than one acre of land, while a staggering 80% belong to backward caste groups.
- 86% of interstate migrants relocate to urban areas, and 63% migrate in search of employment opportunities.
Severe climate events exacerbate migration. Recurrent cyclones in Kendrapada and heatwaves in Ganjam disrupt agricultural productivity, pushing families to seek alternative livelihoods. Additionally, return migrants show poor development indicators, raising concerns about whether migration offers sustainable solutions.
Government Efforts to Address Migration Issues
Efforts at both the state and national levels aim to alleviate the challenges associated with distress migration.
In Odisha, the government has taken steps such as:
- Formation of a special task force: This body focuses on providing targeted interventions, including infrastructure improvements and department-specific schemes, to address migration dynamics.
- Agricultural resilience strategies: Programs like the Spice, Mushroom, and Millet Missions aim to diversify incomes and enhance sustainability in rural livelihoods.
- Disaster management initiatives: The Incident Response System, along with agencies like the National Disaster Response Force, seeks to streamline disaster mitigation and relief at local levels.
Nationally, significant measures include:
- One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC): Ensures portability of food rations across states, benefitting migrant workers.
- Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs): Provide low-cost housing near workplaces to reduce the hardships of urban migration.
- E-SHRAM portal: Maintains a database of unorganized workers, including migrants, for better implementation of welfare schemes.
- Draft National Policy on Migrant Workers by NITI Aayog: Advocates a rights-based approach to address the vulnerabilities of migrant laborers.
- Relief during COVID-19: Initiatives like the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana and Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan provided immediate support to migrant workers during the pandemic.
The Way Ahead
To mitigate the distress linked to migration, there is a need for multi-faceted and inclusive strategies.
- Enhancing rural livelihoods: Expanding rural employment opportunities through sustainable agriculture, skill development programs, and decentralized industries can curb forced migration.
- Robust social safety nets: Providing portable benefits, including healthcare, education, and food security, ensures continuity in welfare support for migrant families.
- Disaster preparedness and climate adaptation: Investments in climate-resilient infrastructure and crop insurance schemes can reduce vulnerabilities in disaster-prone regions.
- Decentralized governance: Strengthening local governance mechanisms will enable region-specific interventions that address migration dynamics effectively.
By addressing the root causes of distress migration and ensuring equity in opportunities and welfare, India can transform migration into a tool for inclusive growth rather than a tale of desperation.