Thousands of families of backward Srikakulam district are forced to migrate with the lack of employment opportunities in the district or home State. Many farmers have also become migrant workers as they are getting only meagre income from agriculture activity. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme also could not help them to get decent income since they can only earn between Rs.70 and Rs.100 per day.
It is estimated that over 2.3 lakh persons of Srikakulam district migrated to other areas as they can earn up to Rs.350 per day. Due to their expertise in construction activity, many builders provide them long term employment. One can find Srikakulam workers all over India, including in cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad and other places. They also get advances up to Rs.50,000 making them to work for longer period while leaving children in villages.
For instance Appalanarasammaa of Modugulu Valasa went to Chennai as she wanted to provide better education to her children Rama and Madhavi. She was feared dead in the 11 storey building collapse incident in Chennai on Saturday. “Cost of living has gone up drastically. It forces us to migrate to cities. Otherwise, it is very difficult to provide better education and food to our children,” said Mandadi Roja of Modugulu Valasa while speaking to The Hindu .
Unfortunately, both parents and children cannot see one another for many months. The children are left in the hands of old parents. One can find dilapidated buildings in several mandals such as LNPeta, Kotturu, Bhamini, Narasannapeta, Saravakota and other places. “One can find only senior citizens and children below 10 years in villages. They cannot take care of houses and other properties. The government should provide employment locally if it is serious to check migration of people,” said Koyyana Raju of LN Peta.
Previously also, many people were killed in several saccidents. Unfortunately, there is no mechanism to bring back even bodies to their villages. “The government pays extra care only when major incidents take place. But it is not possible when one or two persons died in other places,” said a senior official.
