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Leaving their home and hearth for survival: The Hindu
Bhubanesgwar, Feb 29: It is spring: a time of hope, of rejuvenation. But for the tribals of Orissa`s Bolangir district, it is a time of distress. This is when thousands have to leave their home and hearth for survival.
Bhubanesgwar, Feb 29: It is spring: a time of hope, of rejuvenation. But for the tribals of Orissa's Bolangir district, it is a time of distress. This is when thousands have to leave their home and hearth for survival.
Bolangir is one of the poorest districts of the country, with 70 per cent of the people living below the poverty line. With no work and no money, the tribals migrate to distant towns, in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and the State's coastal region to make bricks, pull rickshaws or work as agricultural labourers. The old and the infirm, however, stay back to lead a life of misery and deprivation.
The rate of migration is high between December and May every year and is concentrated in Khaprakhol, Patnagarh, Belpada, Tureikela, Bangamunda, Muribahal and Titilagargh. The end of the Kharif season marks the beginning of migration as no farmer in the district raises a second crop due to lack of irrigation facilities. Although agriculture is the main source of livelihood, only 6 per cent of the cultivable land is covered by irrigation.
The official figures on migrant labourers always remain low as they are based on the number of licences issued to the labourers by the District Labour Officer. A majority of them do not obtain licence under pressure from the labour contractors who send them for work by paying in advance. In a bid to stop the exploitation of these labourers, the district administration is setting up labour societies. However, the scheme has not achieved the desired results.
The rate of migration is high between December and May every year and is concentrated in Khaprakhol, Patnagarh, Belpada, Tureikela, Bangamunda, Muribahal and Titilagargh. The end of the Kharif season marks the beginning of migration as no farmer in the district raises a second crop due to lack of irrigation facilities. Although agriculture is the main source of livelihood, only 6 per cent of the cultivable land is covered by irrigation.
The official figures on migrant labourers always remain low as they are based on the number of licences issued to the labourers by the District Labour Officer. A majority of them do not obtain licence under pressure from the labour contractors who send them for work by paying in advance. In a bid to stop the exploitation of these labourers, the district administration is setting up labour societies. However, the scheme has not achieved the desired results.