The paper discusses how migration is continuing in different parts of India and how it is becoming more and more crucial towards improving livelihood status. In 2004-05, Indian labour force consisted of about 430 million persons, growing annually at about 2% (Economic Survey, 2007). Slightly less than 3/5th of it is employed in agriculture, mostly residing in rural areas and producing a little over 1/5th of the domestic product. Cultivators form about 2/3rd of the rural workforce, the remaining are agriculture workers. Industry (mining, manufacturing, construction and utilities) employs around 18% of the workforce, producing about 27% of the domestic output. Despite NREGS implementation in all districts, Migration of unskilled and skilled labourers has not stopped yet; it is continuing in parts and pieces. Labourers and farmers whose income is not enough that they can have a respected life, they are opting for some other options. They are migrating towards cities to work in factories and construction projects etc. As it has been discussed frequently that major migration is due to failure of Agriculture as mainstream livelihood activity; policy makers should explore ways and means to reestablish the importance of Agriculture in terms of livelihood. One important fact about migration is that it never can be totally stopped as it is under the process of development. Faulty implementation of several welfare legislations and schemes has led towards more and more migration of rural poor. To the extent, it seems necessary for marginalized and vulnerable class of the society to migrate and have some respectable livelihood options.
URL : http://www.inflibnet.ac.in/ojs/index.php/MI/article/viewFile/1487/1340