As remigration has started in large scale and people mostly returned migrants are going back to their workplaces elsewhere in the country, we need to explore technology solutions and agricultural innovation to provide livelihoods to the migrants, said an outcome of virtual dialogue conducted on September 9, organized jointly by Focus Odisha Foundation, Action Aid India, Mahashakti Foundation and Migration Watch India, a national level Migration Resource Center.
"Though the Government has scaled up MGNREGS by issuing job cards on demand to migrant labourers and providing job through convergence with different departments and specially run schemes,
it is still insufficient to cater to the growing demand and respond the requirements of skilled and semi -skilled workforce," said Focus Odisha Foundation director Sudarshan Chhotoray while presenting the keynote.
Secondly, the wages in MGNREGS is very low, Rs 207, fixed by the Government of India for Odisha, even though the State Government has increased it to Rs 300 in priority blocks, Chhotoray added.
Despite threat of Covid-19 and where uncertainty still looms large, people are fleeing to their earlier workplaces because, we could not provided job them, said country associated director of Action Aid Debabrat Patra.
Besides MGNREGS, we need alternative livelihood options like agricultural innovation, Patra stressed.In his lead presentation director of Kashipur based AGRAGAMEE Achyut Das stressed the need for promoting family based farms and developing village commons in resource rich States like Odisha, so that through traditional knowledge and wisdom and agricultural innovation people would get job locally, which would be sustainable.
Das emphasised launching youth oriented schemes.Veteran development expert, New Delhi based consultant NM Prusty underlined the need for technological solutions through building local skills, enabling system of providing credit, insurance and institutional framework to rehabilitate migrants and job creations.
Prusty further highlighted on developing technology solution network to promote Odisha's very owned skills on handicrafts, handlooms and Bamboos.
Among others, CEO and director of MART Ramesh Jena and vice president of New Delhi based Technosave Suryamani Roul spoke.