Internal Migration From Odisha: A Reflection On Kbk Districts

Migration, both external and internal is a complex process. In this course of action people move from one place to another place for varied purposes, mainly for jobs and employments. This process varies due to distance and time factors. In course of migration there has been a significant change in the scenario of employment, income, standard of living and level of remittances. The present work is an outcome of a comprehensive field work in the KBK region-the most backward and poverty stricken districts of Odisha. The present work is based on primary and secondary sources of data to present the socio-economic conditions of those people who are engaged in the process of seasonal internal migration which is of circular in nature. The study basically covers the distress seasonal-circular migration which is taking place since a long time. These migrants are called ‘dadan’ labour that are recruited through agents/dalals and sent to different southern states of India to work mainly in brick kilns. It focuses on the socio-economic conditions of migrant households, reasons for migration, process of recruitment and their problems at destination and the possible measures for their betterment. The study is a regional analysis in particular but has a general implication on the problems of internal migration prevailing in other part of the country. The genesis of internal labour migration, reasons, estimates, magnitude and effects have been analysed in the national perspectives only. The study has immense significance to the researchers, policy makers, administrators and social scientist having interest for the down trodden section of population of the society and common men interested in the problems of an under-developed region like KBK.