Homecoming Migrants And Bihar
From the very first day when the first phase of lockdown was imposed, we have been seeing a large scale exodus of Migrant Louberers from the states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi etc to their home states. We are about to enter the 4th phase of Lockdown, the COVID graph is not flattened yet, nor is the exodus stopped.
So the question arises here is, What are the cues that prompted this migration? Majority of migrants belong to the unorganised sector and are the daily wagers. As the lockdown initiated, the daily wages were stopped. No preplaning was there in view of migrants before the lockdown, filled in them the sense of insecurity. Many of them do not have proper accomodation and they would stay where they worked, so they became homeless when the work was stopped. Many who are staying on rent are harassed by their landlords by asking them for rent again and again. Many villagers depend on the money they receive from the migrants, so if there is no earning, no money is sent. Here comes the sense of survival, they may starve to death in the cities in the absence of earning but they would atleast get some food in their villages, that backs the survival(it is their beleif).
Hence they took their luggage in hand started walking towards their home(incredibly a long excursion more than 1000 kilometres). We have heard some misfortune and fatality during their journey, I hope government is considerate about this. I would rather like to focus on Bihar that is one of the states which are on the receiving end of those migrants. now the onus is on Bihar to cope with the plight of migrants.
What the Bihar government can do? Bihar government not only has to contain the COVID but also has to contain the homecoming migrants not just by putting them in quarantine and providing them some temporary ration but by framing some policies to generate emplyment for them. As employment generation is not an easy task so the policies should be framed in view of short term as well as long term prospects
So here are some points, where in my view government should work in creating employment
Out of all this a strong political will is important or otherwise this plight will stigmatize more to the state, that is yet recognised by the Ancient Indian History.
So the question arises here is, What are the cues that prompted this migration? Majority of migrants belong to the unorganised sector and are the daily wagers. As the lockdown initiated, the daily wages were stopped. No preplaning was there in view of migrants before the lockdown, filled in them the sense of insecurity. Many of them do not have proper accomodation and they would stay where they worked, so they became homeless when the work was stopped. Many who are staying on rent are harassed by their landlords by asking them for rent again and again. Many villagers depend on the money they receive from the migrants, so if there is no earning, no money is sent. Here comes the sense of survival, they may starve to death in the cities in the absence of earning but they would atleast get some food in their villages, that backs the survival(it is their beleif).
Hence they took their luggage in hand started walking towards their home(incredibly a long excursion more than 1000 kilometres). We have heard some misfortune and fatality during their journey, I hope government is considerate about this. I would rather like to focus on Bihar that is one of the states which are on the receiving end of those migrants. now the onus is on Bihar to cope with the plight of migrants.
What the Bihar government can do? Bihar government not only has to contain the COVID but also has to contain the homecoming migrants not just by putting them in quarantine and providing them some temporary ration but by framing some policies to generate emplyment for them. As employment generation is not an easy task so the policies should be framed in view of short term as well as long term prospects
So here are some points, where in my view government should work in creating employment
- Bihar is primarily an agricultural state, so more agriculture oriented work should be generated like food processing mills, pinnacle and fruit juice industries should be endorsed.
- This is the time to frame the policy for the revival of old and ruined industries such as jute mills, sugar mills etc.
- Many village level employement schemes are needed to be rolled out
- More works are needed to be included under MGNREGS and more number of days should be guaranteed
- Hiring more number of employees for the ongoing development work will also speed up the development
- By the upliftment of local artisans and handicraft work like Sikki art, Madhubani painting, Bhagalpuri cotton and silk work, Lahthi bangle work etc
- Renovation of heritage sites, forts and temples can not only generate some employment in short span of time but also attract tourism in the upcoming years
- There is a dire need to frame policies that would attract investment in Bihar so that less migration happens from Bihar in future
Out of all this a strong political will is important or otherwise this plight will stigmatize more to the state, that is yet recognised by the Ancient Indian History.
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