May 19th 2024.
The district of Rayagada has been experiencing a continuous trend of migration as laborers from the area are once again leaving their homes to seek work in other states. This comes after the first phase of polling in the district, which ended on May 13. According to reports, Rayagada has become a hub for thousands of laborers who are forced to leave due to the lack of job opportunities in their own district. Poverty is the main driving factor behind their migration, as they are lured by middlemen promising work in other states.
Unfortunately, these migrant workers often face harsh realities upon reaching their destinations. Many are subjected to harassment, violence, and discrimination, which only adds to their already dire situations. Despite their hard work, they are often left impoverished and struggling to survive. The lack of contact with their families back home only adds to their uncertainty and sense of displacement.
Recently, these laborers had returned to their villages to cast their votes in the ongoing elections. However, as soon as the polls were over, they began to leave once again for their places of work. In the past few days, people from all over the district have been seen gathering at bus stands and railway stations, ready to embark on their journeys outside of the state.
Some are heading to Vizianagaram or Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, while others are boarding trains to Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, and other states. This is happening despite the fact that there are over 3,000 small, medium, and large-scale industries operating in the state. The lack of job opportunities in these industries is yet another reason for the large-scale migration.
It is disheartening to see that even after coming home to cast their votes, these laborers were not given any assurances or support from the political parties or candidates. None of them addressed the issue of migration or promised to provide employment opportunities for these poor workers. As a result, the laborers, including minors, have no choice but to leave once again for their places of work after the elections.
Reports have shown that out of the 11 blocks in the district, Kalyansinghpur, Kashipur, Chandrapur, and Gudari have the highest number of migrant workers. These laborers come from all age groups, including adults, minors, and even young boys and girls. For example, eight young men from Kantamal and Surugunja villages in Kashipur block have left for work in Chalakudi town in Kerala. They were seen waiting at the Rayagada railway station, where they would board a train to Vizianagaram, and then another train to their final destination.
Similarly, many residents from villages such as Talajhiri, Banteji, Sarambai, Mandijhola, Routghati, Badamagur, Taladeska, Keshkeri, Chandagiri, Sindurghati, Chiliguda, Kantamal, Adatakiri, Baharduluki, Bhitarduluki, Padamajhi, Bariguda, Bhramarjhari, and Siadimala in Kashipur block are now working as migrant laborers in Karnataka and Kerala. In Chandrapur block, residents from Belamguda, Jarpa, Bandiri, Katisur, Gendabaju, Khilundi, Raibiji, and Guchhujaba, as well as in Kalyansinghpur block, residents of Polama, Siripur, Bhalumaska, Serigumma, Phulaguda, Lakshmi Nagar, Talasaja, and Bijaynagar villages, are working in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
When asked about this issue, District Labour Officer Jasmine Sahu stated that the Panchayatiraj department has been instructed to keep track of the migrant laborers. Funds have also been allocated for this purpose. However, there are no laws in place to prevent people from migrating in search of work.
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