Internal migrants are productive citizens too

It is the State’s duty to protect and promote their access to health and education

Areport released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) — Migration and Its Impact on Cities — has estimated at least 5-6 million migrants are on the move every year in India. Citing a study undertaken as part of Economic Survey 2017, the WEF report said, the rate of inter-state migration has doubled between 2001 and 2011. This is not surprising: Despite years of the economic boom, inequities still persist between states, and rural and urban areas. For example, Bihar has a per capita income roughly equivalent to Somalia and a birth rate of 3.4 children per woman. On the other hand, Kerala has a per capita income that is four times more and a birth rate of 1.6 children per woman. This puts the state on a par with Denmark. Economic well-being, however, is not the only reason for mobility. People move to escape caste oppression or civil unrest. Marriage is also another common driver for migration.

Even though migrants add substantially to the economy, they are always not seen favourably by the recipient states/cities. They are considered a burden, often accused of indulging in criminal activities, and exploited for political gains. They find it difficult to get formal residency rights, adequate housing and are forced to enter low-paid, insecure or hazardous work. Then there is exclusion from State services such as health and education. The Aadhaar project seeks to remedy this basic problem of establishing identity and ensuring portability of entitlements.

In India, internal migration has been accorded very low priority by the government, partly due to a serious knowledge gap on its extent, nature and magnitude. This must change. National and state governments have a clear role and responsibility t not only in protecting and promoting migrants’ access to social services, but also in enabling migrants to become socially and politically active citizens.