Patna, (Bihar Times): Migration has long been an integral part of rural livelihood in Bihar. Although once seen mainly as a distress response to rural crisis, it is now recognized that migration increases risk but reduces poverty. For a majority of rural households having one member working outside the village for certain part of the year is the norm not the exception. There is clear evidence that circular migration has been increasing. Yet this reality is not reflected in official statistics or poverty reduction programmes and policies.

These were the issues discussed at a high-powered meeting organized by the Overseas Development Institute in Patna on November 5. The meeting discussed ways for incorporating migrant concerns into policy in Bihar. Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi was the chief guest. The meeting was attended by academics, activists and government officials.

It was inaugurated with a presentation by Dr Priya Deshingkar of the Overseas Development Institute. She outlined the characteristics of coping and accumulative migration streams in the state.

She called for developing models of social protection for the most vulnerable groups of migrants. This would include types of migration that share many characteristics with trafficking and bonded labour, that is, debt, underpayment, restricted movement and belonging to a disadvantaged social group.

Ms Deshingkar stressed the need for developing support packages for more accumulative kinds of migration (technical, institutional, infrastructure and financial).

These two themes were the main topics of discussions during the meeting. Next was a presentation by Ajay Kumar, editor of news-portal, BiharTimes.com, who highlighted the magnitude, costs and current patterns of migration based on his discussions with development practitioners.

Next was a keynote address by Mr Modi. He thanked ODI for organising a meeting on such an important issue.

He drew attention towards the issue of remittance mechanisms through formal banks and post offices. This need to be supplemented with other channels for the most remote areas.

The deputy chief minister raised the issue of drugging and robbing of poor labourers in trains on their way back. Besides, women left behind are highly vulnerable and rape is common but under-reported.

Modi said migrants need support and help and policy recommendations are needed for both the Bihar government and receiving governments. Flood prone districts have very high migration rates and many of these migrants migrate within the state. Araria, according to him, produces highest number of migrants. There is a need for further study of intrastate migration.

He suggested that ID cards can help but care needs to be taken to prevent its misuse. He said that the Migrant Labour Act needs further improvement and loopholes should be identified and addressed.

Modi informed that Bihar had posted a Deputy Labour Commissioner in Delhi for the purpose of addressing the problems of Bihari migrants in other states. In addition the government has launched the Pravasi Mazdoor Durghatana Yojana, a scheme to help labourers in the event of an accident on the job. The state government will soon organise a two day workshop on the issue of migrant labour.

Large corporate houses are importing skilled labour from other parts of Asia; Bihari workers could take these jobs if properly trained, he said.

A discussion on child labour chaired by Mr Ram Dev Prasad, chairman of the Bihar State Child Labour Commission, followed Modi’s speech.

ODI is an independent think tank with more than 30 years of experience of working in India on a range of issues related to natural resource management and poverty reduction. It is headquartered in London and has a liaison office in Hyderabad. Recent projects undertaken by it included a three year project on watershed management, research on PRIs and natural resource management, livelihood diversification and labour migration.

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