The National Sample Survey (NSS) 2020-21 reported a 28.9% migration rate (26.5% rural, 34.9% urban).
Females (47.9%) migrate more than males (10.7%), primarily due to marriage.
Rural-rural migration: 54% of internal migration (21 crore migrants).
Rural-urban and urban-urban migration: Each accounts for ~8 crore migrants.
Inter-state migration: Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are the largest sources, while Maharashtra and Delhi are the top destinations.
What the reasons for migration?
1. Economic Factors:
Push Factors: Unemployment, low wages, rural distress, debt, and poverty drive migration.
e.g. Lack of jobs in Bihar pushes workers to Delhi.
Pull Factors: Better job opportunities, higher wages, and urban amenities attract migrants.
e.g. Delhi’s economic opportunities draw migrants from Uttar Pradesh.
2. Social Factors:
Marriage: Major driver for female migration (86.8% of female migrants in 2020-21).
Caste and Religion: Discrimination or violence based on caste/religion forces migration.
e.g. Marginalized groups relocating to escape persecution.
3. Environmental Factors:
Climate change, natural disasters (floods, droughts), and environmental degradation cause displacement.
e.g. Migration from Sundarbans due to rising sea levels.
4. Political Factors:
Conflicts, persecution, or separatist movements drive forced migration.
e.g. Rohingya refugee
5. Development-Induced Displacement:
Projects like dams displace millions.
e.g. 50 million displaced over 50 years due to development projects (Lok Sabha Report, 2013).
What are the Challenges Associated with Migration?
Lack of Social Security: Over 53% of non-agricultural workers, including migrants, lack social security benefits (PLFS 2021-22).
Limited Access to Welfare: Non-portability of state benefits like PDS restricts access to food subsidies.
e.g. Migrants in urban areas struggle to access rations due to residency requirements.
Housing and Amenities: Migrants face scarcity of affordable housing, clean water, and sanitation.
e.g. Slum proliferation in cities like Mumbai.
Exploitation and Poor Conditions: Migrants face wage theft, long working hours, and unsafe conditions.
e.g. Gulf migrants often face contract violations.
Social Exclusion: Migrants face discrimination, cultural adaptation issues, and lack of political rights (e.g., voting).
e.g. Hindi-speaking migrants in Tamil Nadu faced hostility due to rumors in 2023.
Health and Education: Limited access to healthcare and education for migrant families.
e.g. Children of migrant workers often lack schooling.
Data Gaps: Absence of reliable, updated data on internal migrants hinders policy-making.
e.g. Last comprehensive data from Census 2011.
What are Solutions to Tackle Migration Challenges
Policy and Legislative Reforms?
1. Strengthen the Interstate Migrant Workmen’s Act, 1979, and enforce labor laws to protect migrant rights.
Implement NITI Aayog’s draft National Migrant Labour Policy (2021) for a holistic framework.
2. Access to Welfare:
Expand One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) to ensure food security for migrants.
e.g. ONORC allows access to PDS across states.
Enhance schemes like PMJAY for healthcare access and e-Shram portal for unorganized workers’ registration.
3. Housing and Infrastructure:
- Scale up Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHC) with transparent allocation.
e.g. ARHC aims to provide affordable housing for urban migrants.
- Develop counter-magnet cities to reduce pressure on urban hubs like Delhi. (Tier 2-3 cities creation)
4. Skill Development and Employment:
- Promote rural skilling through Skill India Mission and PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana to reduce distress migration.
- Create job opportunities in rural areas to balance regional development. MGNREGA supports rural employment.
5. Social Integration:
Foster inclusion through awareness campaigns and anti-discrimination measures.
e.g. Kerala’s “Changathi” literacy campaign for migrants.
6. Data Management:
Establish separate bodies for interstate migration data collection.
e.g. Jharkhand’s migrant survey to map sectors and benefits.
Strengthen e-Shram portal for real-time migrant data.
7. Climate-Induced Migration:
Develop policies for environmental displaced persons.
e.g Australia-Tuvalu treaty for climate migrants as a model.
Conclusion: Migration is a complex phenomenon driven by Socio-economic, political and environmental factors. While an inevitable phenomenon, it should be regulated and managed with data driven policies and coordinated efforts.
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