Rayalaseema’s Migrant Workers Away as BLOs Arrive For SIR Checks
Officials estimate that over one lakh people from these three districts are still away.
KURNOOL: A significant number of migrant workers from Kurnool, Nandyal, and Kadapa districts have continued to remain elsewhere for their livelihoods. Traditionally, migrant labourers travel to other districts for work during March, April, and May. They return to their native places with the onset of monsoon showers in June. However, this year, the situation appears different.
Recent data from ration rice distribution centres indicates that many migrant workers are continuing to collect their supplies in the districts they have migrated to for work. Officials say ration distribution in Kurnool, Nandyal, and Kadapa districts has not crossed 89 per cent, while in other districts it has exceeded 97 per cent.
A majority of migrants from Rayalaseema districts have for the past three months been working in Guntur district, engaged in harvesting chilli. Though their work has now concluded, absence of rainfall in their home districts has delayed their return.
“We are from Tuggali mandal in Kurnool district. Currently, we are working in chilli fields in Guntur. If it had rained in our village, I would have returned and cultivated my land,” said N. Veeraiah, a migrant worker.
Officials estimate that over one lakh people from these three districts are still away.
The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral roles has revealed another dimension of the issue. Booth Level Officers (BLOs), who are visiting villages as part of the SIR exercise, are finding hundreds of houses locked in several villages. “We have informed the neighbours to pass on information about SIT to those who are away,” said Y. Srinivasulu, a BLO.
Migration has also severely impacted children’s education. Thousands of children belonging to migrant families have not yet secured school admissions this academic year, an Education department official stated. It is estimated that around 5,000 to 6,000 children are currently out of school. Authorities are attempting to address the issue by reaching out to migrant families.
“We are offering to admit their children in hostels. We have managed to bring back a few children this way,” said a Kurnool district Mandal Education officer.
Apart from Guntur, agricultural workers also migrate to Krishna and Nellore districts. Workers from areas, such as Mantralayam, Pattikonda, and Kodumur have migrated to Karnataka.
With lack of employment opportunities, delayed monsoon, and disruption in education, migrant families are continuing to face multiple challenges this season.