Security net eludes migrant labourers

BALANGIR: The socio-economic survey underway in the district would not include more than a lakh poor who have migrated to neighbouring states in search of work. Non-inclusion in various Government welfare programmes would mean that they would be deprived of the numerous benefits.
Parme Majhi of Jamutjhola village in Turekela block and many of his cohorts have left for Andhra Pradesh to work in brick kilns. They are not alone. Villages after villages, the sordid sage of poverty and penury is the same. And ironically, most surveys are undertaken at a time when the villagers leave their hearth and home behind looking for livelihood options.
While houses with elderly and disabled are covered, those who leave with lock, stock and barrel are left high and dry. Out of the security net, they return home ahead of Nuakhai only to migrate again.
Expressing helplessness, Titlagarh Sub-collector Biswanath Sahu said the ongoing survey was time-bound and cannot be rescheduled.

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