Bhubaneswar: The third meeting of the High-Level Task Force on Distress Migration was held on Monday at Lok Seva Bhawan, under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo.
The meeting focused on addressing the root causes of distress migration in the state and discussed actionable strategies to provide sustainable livelihoods to vulnerable populations.
As per earlier discussions, a detailed survey will be conducted by The/Nudge Foundation to identify the key reasons behind distress migration. Based on the forthcoming data and existing government statistics, the state aims to roll out targeted livelihood initiatives, including the Odisha PVTG Livelihood Model and the Mukhya Mantri Janjati Jeevika Mission, aimed at improving income and reducing outmigration.
Currently, various government welfare schemes are underway, including MGNREGS, Subhadra, Input Assistance to Farmers, MKUY, Kamdhenu Yojana, Goat Rearing, and Plantation Programs. The government will ensure 100% coverage of these welfare schemes for every household in migration-prone districts and blocks. To achieve this, a saturation drive will be undertaken, with officers from various line departments and Secretaries certifying complete coverage.
It was reported that, due to the implementation of input assistance for farmers in both Kharif and Rabi seasons, the rate of migration has decreased to some extent.
Additionally, departments including Labour, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water (PR&DW), Fisheries & Animal Resources Development (FARD), and Agriculture have launched strategies to curb distress migration. These include expanding irrigation support, constructing canals, providing an additional 200 wage days for unskilled workers under the MGNREGS as state support, and implementing programs such as Gramodaya, Model Gram Panchayats, and Contract Farming, to provide income on par with migration.
A committee will be formed to enhance household outcomes and tackle distress migration by cracking down on labour sardars. This committee will coordinate with enforcement officers, police, railway officials, and the district administration in a mission-mode approach.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Chief Minister and other key ministers, including the Minister of Women & Child Development, Mission Shakti, and Tourism, Pravati Parida; the Minister of Revenue & Disaster Management, Suresh Pujari; the Minister of Rural Development and PR&DW, Rabi Narayan Naik; the Minister of School & Mass Education, SC&ST Development, and SSEPD, Nityananda Gond; the Minister of Forest & Environment, Labour & ESI, Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia; the Minister of Industries, Sampad Chandra Swain; and the Minister of FARD and MSME, Gokulananda Mallick.
Also present were Principal Secretaries of Finance, Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, PR&DW, DG Police, Additional DG (Railways), representatives from The/Nudge Foundation, and senior officials from multiple departments.
