To curb distressed migration and worker displacement, the Odisha Government held a crucial meeting today at the Lok Seva Bhavan Conference Hall, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo.
The meeting focused on identifying sustainable livelihood opportunities, particularly for rural communities and women, to reduce migration pressures. SBM Advisor LLP presented a detailed PowerPoint presentation outlining how dairy farming and cattle rearing could serve as a long-term employment solution for affected workers.
Minister of Labour and Employees’ State Insurance Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia was also present at the discussion. Shri Singh Deo, who heads the task force dedicated to addressing distressed migration, emphasised that the causes of worker displacement vary across districts. He urged officials to conduct thorough analyses and develop targeted interventions.
The meeting acknowledged that empowering women through self-reliance initiatives and ensuring year-round income sources could significantly reduce labour migration. Representatives from SBM Advisor LLP suggested that the private sector also be incentivised alongside existing government schemes.
Key officials attending the meeting included Principal Secretary Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Mrs. Chithra Arumugam, Shri Suresh Kumar Vashishth, Shri Girish SN, along with senior officers from Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Department, Labour & ESI Department, Fisheries & Animal Resource Development, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Departments.
This initiative underlines the government’s commitment to enhancing rural livelihoods through sustainable employment generation and reduced migration risks.
