Lockdown adds to the woes of seasonal migrants

Return of migrants to the source state had caused an economic shock as there is no compensatory source of livelihood and they are dependent on the government for their survival. In the National Capital Region, there are around 30 lakh seasonal migrants from Bihar. Even if half of them try to return to their home state it can cause blunder as it will be difficult for a poor state like Bihar to sustain them.
                     

                         The government had announced a relief package of Rs 1.70 lakh crore but this decision has also several limitations. Migrants who are unable to return home and are not ration card holders in cities will not be benefitted from additional free foodgrains under the Public Distribution System( PDS). Since registrations in building and other construction welfare board are very low so many of them will be barred from this benefit as well. So in order to support them, the government need to think out of the box.
                          Services of migrants are very crucial for our economy. They are very crucial in several sectors such as construction, mining, garment manufacturing, agriculture and without them, these sectors will come to a standstill. One of the biggest challenges after the lockdown is lifted will be to bring back the migrants to kick start these sectors.