Bhubaneswar: Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, and Energy Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo chaired a high-level task force meeting today at Lok Seva Bhavan to address the issue of distress migration of labourers from Odisha.
Singh Deo emphasized that providing sustainable livelihood options within the state is key to solving the problem. He announced that Nudge Foundation, an action institute working towards a poverty-free India, will collaborate with the Odisha government to tackle this challenge.
The foundation has successfully addressed similar issues in West Bengal and Jharkhand and will now study the root causes and solutions in migration-prone districts and Gram Panchayats in Odisha.
“A comprehensive approach involving food security, social security, sustainable livelihoods, and prospective employment through the ‘Graduation Approach’ will be implemented to curb migration. Nudge Foundation will assess the financial and social status of the beneficiaries at regular intervals to ensure effectiveness,” Singh Deo stated.
The task force identified two primary drivers of migration: the hope of higher earnings and a lack of feasible livelihood options in their home districts.
Singh Deo highlighted that a significant number of people from districts like Ganjam, Balangir, Kalahandi, Jharsuguda, and Bargarh migrate to other states for work. While migration from Ganjam is largely aspirational, migrants from other districts often leave to repay debts or due to inadequate local opportunities.
To address these challenges, Nudge Foundation will design region-specific livelihood programs based on climate, environment, and local needs. The foundation will work with the government to develop solutions and monitor the outcomes.
Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management Suresh Pujari suggested adopting a cluster approach at the panchayat or block level in migration-prone areas to streamline efforts.
Other members of the task force, including Minister of Rural Development, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Rabi Narayan Naik; Minister of Forest, Environment, Climate, Labour & ESI Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia; Development Commissioner and ACS Anu Garg; Principal Secretary Saswat Mishra; and other senior officials, were present at the meeting.
