Drought conditions continuing for the third consecutive year, failure of major irrigation systems and an outbreak of tuberculosis among the tribal population give an impression that distress is all-pervasive in Garhwa district. According to an estimate, over 50,000 agricultural labourers have migrated in search of work during the lean season.
Migrations have taken place mainly from the villages falling under Dhurki, Garhwa, Meral, Kharaundhi, Manjhiaon, Chiniya, Bhandariya, Andai blocks in the district. The families usually leave their native villages immediately after Chhath festival and return only towards the end of December in time for the next agricultural season every year is most likely to be repeated this time also.
In some villages, around two-thirds of the population, mostly small farmers owning five to ten acres of land have deserted their homes leaving the aged people behind. Even children have accompanied their parents. The migrating families are well aware of the strenuous life ahead at the new place. They know they will have no roof over their heads and no privacy.
Interestingly, the migrant families are considered “well-off”. Most of them were able to repay the debt caused by losses in agriculture and also give loans to others in their native villages at high interest rates. The debt-free life of the migrant families is encouraging others to emulate them. The idea gaining ground is that the life of a farm worker is less stressful than that of a small farmer.
Failure of the monsoon has a severe impact on the agriculture sector and the people dependent on it. Out of a population of 13 lakhs, 77 per cent lives in rural areas directly or indirectly depending on agriculture alone. The Anraj dam, the Panghtwa dam and others dam have failed to supply water for irrigation.
Garhwa DC Sudhanshu Bhushan Burwar said that to stop the migration of laborers he had approved schemes of `130 crores under MGNREGA against availablity of `63 crores. “I have started work at every Panchayats therefore laborers gain job.” DC again said that besides this several schemes had been started under IAP which get local labour job.
DC advised the labourers who were migrating without registering before Panchayat sewak get smart card which make them entitled to get benefit of Goverment compensation in case of any incident.