Mass Migration From Rayalaseema Districts Raises Concerns

Kurnool: Migration from the Rayalaseema districts has risen sharply this year, with thousands of people from Kurnool, Nandyal and Kadapa moving to other districts in search of livelihood opportunities in view of the prevailing drought conditions.

The region is currently having reduced agricultural activity and the people are faced with lack of employment opportunities.

Officials said migration has increased significantly, particularly from Kurnool district, to Guntur, Krishna and Palnadu districts. A visible decline was also recorded in utilisation of supplies under the public distribution system (PDS) during March, April and May. In Kurnool district, PDS utilisation dropped to 88 per cent, indicating large-scale outward migration.

Estimates suggest that nearly 70,000 to 80,000 people migrated from Kurnool district alone, while around 30,000 each from Nandyal and Kadapa districts also moved to other regions. In all, nearly 1.5 lakh people from the three districts are believed to have migrated this year, most of them agricultural labourers and small farmers.

Migration has been particularly high from the backward regions such as Adoni, Pattikonda and Yemmiganur constituencies in Kurnool district.

The ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ system has provided relief to migrant labourers by enabling them have access to subsidised foodgrains at their destinations. “Earlier, we used to return to our native village once a month to collect ration supplies. Now, we are able to access them at our workplace itself,” said Bugga Mahesh from Veldurthi mandal in Kurnool district, currently working in chilli fields in Guntur district.

Officials described the migration as largely seasonal. “Labourers move to other districts when work is available and return once the monsoon begins,” said district supply officer Raja Raghuveer. “During migration periods, PDS usage drops in the native districts, but it rises again during festival seasons when families return,” he stated.

Residents of rural areas said a reduction in employment under the rural job guarantee scheme had worsened the situation. It is learnt that less than 25 per cent of families were able to secure the full 100 days of work this year.

R. Keshanna Goud, a farmer from Adoni currently working in chilli fields near Piduguralla in Guntur district, said, “I own about two-and-a-half acres of land. If the rains arrive, I will return. For now, I am earning around `600 per day working in chilli farms. At least this gives us some stability compared to the uncertain farming back home.”

Migration has also affected children’s education. “Admissions for children of migrant workers are always a challenge. We never know where they will be at any given time,” said P Shivashankar, a headmaster from Tuggali.

“Many children discontinue schooling midway, and in some cases, girls are being married off before the age of 16, which is a major concern,” he added.

Officials acknowledged the issue and stressed the need for long-term measures. A senior official from the district water management agency (DWMA) in Rayalaseema admitted that employment generation under the scheme had declined this year.