Odisha’s BJP government forms task force to address distress migration driven by lack of employment opportunities
OdishaPlus Bureau
The government of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Odisha established a high-level task force on Monday to tackle the issue of distress migration, which the party has leveraged as a campaign issue against the former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) administration.
Distress migration, primarily driven by insufficient employment opportunities, poses a significant challenge in Odisha. Official records indicate that 14 out of the state’s 30 districts—predominantly in the western, southern and coastal regions—are particularly susceptible to migration.
Neighboring States
Odisha serves as a major source of labor for various states, including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, where individuals typically find work in brick kilns, construction sites and power looms, according to officials.
The task force will be led by Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo, with additional ministers participating as members. Its primary focus will be to address the challenges faced by migrant workers, propose solutions and determine an appropriate course of action. The task force may also include esteemed experts in the field. Furthermore, it will advise on measures that government agencies should implement to address distress migration and alleviate hardship.
Institutional Framework
In addition to proposing necessary programs and schemes for the state government, the task force will recommend institutional frameworks at various levels. It is scheduled to convene biannually to assess progress.
According to a senior government official, the task force will analyze the regional characteristics of migration and suggest targeted interventions. It will also consider regional disparities, seasonal patterns and the scale of migration to formulate effective strategies.
Livelihood Opportunity
In order to address the intricate issue of distress migration, the task force has been instructed to propose targeted measures aimed at developing infrastructure and enhancing livelihood opportunities within the state. This will be achieved through skill development, access to credit and connecting families with anti-poverty initiatives.
During his campaign for the 2024 Assembly elections in Odisha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized the previous government led by Naveen Patnaik for its inability to attract sufficient industries and generate employment opportunities.
In light of the severity of the situation, the former BJD administration had pinpointed 20 vulnerable blocks with elevated levels of distress migration across four western districts.
Additionally, the BJD government had increased wages by approximately ₹100 under the MGNREGA program in these identified blocks. Shah asserted that once the BJP comes to power, no individual would need to migrate from the state, as new investments would be introduced.
