The death of migrant labourer Kanalu Mallick (55) of Bargarh district’s Bhubanpali village on Monday morning at Sinkhamman village on the Balangir town outskirts has brought the issue of distress migration to the fore.
According to reports, one Kshyamanidhi, a labour Sardar from Belpada, had brought some laboueres, including Kanalu, and kept them in Sinkhaman village on Saturday. They were supposed to go outside for work. However, Kanalu got a fever and subsequently died on Monday morning.
Without informing police, the Sardar sent the body through Dalals to his native village in Bhubanpali and it was buried there.
From the incident, a new trend was marked. Earlier, Sardar used to give money to dalals to pay advance to labourers. Now, after district administration initiated a move to check migration, dalals are being asked to bring labourers to worksite first and then pay money to their family members.
Kanalu’s family had not got any money as he had not reached the worksite.
It is apprehended that the number of migrant labourers might increase as crops have been damaged due to irregular and heavy rains. Sources said Dalals are giving advance up to Rs 70,000 per family.
What is most worrisome is that unemployed skilled youths are migrating to Mumbai. Their migration is likely to affect onion cultivation in Bongomunda and other blocks.
“I had gone to the village Sinkhaman today and conducted an inquiry about migration of labourers. I will submit my report to Government soon,” said Balangir District Labour Officer Suresh Behera.