In our country, the migration of rural people to towns and cities is increasing drastically. This is causing serious problems both in the rural as well as in the urban areas. In fact, things are becoming really unmanageable. Can you analyze this problem in detail and indicate not only the socio-economic but also the emotional and attitudinal factors responsible for this problem? Also, distinctly bring out why-
a. Educated rural youth are trying to shift to urban areas;
b. Landless poor people are migrating to urban slums;
c. Even some farmers are selling off their land and trying to settle in urban areas taking up petty jobs.
d. What feasible steps can you suggest which will be effective in controlling this serious problem of our country?
(250 words) [UPSC 2014]
Migration from Rural to Urban Areas: Analysis and Solutions
1. Socio-Economic Factors
Economic Disparity: The primary driver for rural to urban migration is the economic disparity between rural and urban areas. Urban centers offer better job opportunities, higher wages, and improved living standards. For instance, the boom in information technology and service sectors in cities like Bangalore and Hyderabad has attracted many educated youths seeking better career prospects.
Lack of Rural Infrastructure: Inadequate infrastructure in rural areas, such as poor transportation, limited healthcare facilities, and lack of quality education, pushes people to seek better living conditions in urban areas. For example, the persistent problem of inadequate healthcare facilities in rural Bihar has prompted many to migrate to cities where healthcare services are more accessible.
Landlessness and Agricultural Decline: The decline in agriculture due to decreasing land holdings and unprofitable farming has led landless rural workers to migrate to urban slums. The agricultural sector in states like Punjab and Haryana is witnessing a steady decline in profitability, pushing landless workers to cities in search of alternative livelihoods.
2. Emotional and Attitudinal Factors
Aspiration for Better Quality of Life: Many rural individuals are motivated by the aspiration to improve their quality of life. Urban areas are often seen as places with more modern amenities and better living conditions. This aspiration is reflected in the migration patterns observed in cities such as Mumbai and Delhi.
Social Status and Perceptions: There is a perception that living in urban areas is a status symbol and provides a sense of modernity and progress. This attitude drives not only educated youth but also individuals from poorer backgrounds to migrate to cities.
3. Specific Cases
Educated Rural Youth: Educated youth from rural areas migrate to urban centers in search of employment opportunities that match their qualifications and aspirations. For instance, graduates from rural areas in Tamil Nadu often move to Chennai for better job prospects.
Landless Poor People: Landless rural workers, due to the lack of alternative employment opportunities, move to urban slums where they find low-wage jobs. The informal sector in cities provides a source of income, albeit meager.
Farmers Selling Land: Some farmers, unable to sustain their livelihoods due to falling agricultural incomes, sell their land and migrate to cities to take up petty jobs. This trend is evident in states like Uttar Pradesh, where distressed farmers are increasingly moving to cities like Kanpur for survival.
4. Feasible Solutions
Promote Rural Development: Investing in rural infrastructure, education, and healthcare can improve the quality of life and reduce migration pressures. Government initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme aim to address these issues but need further expansion and efficient implementation.
Encourage Rural Entrepreneurship: Supporting rural entrepreneurship through subsidies and training programs can provide alternative employment opportunities. Initiatives like the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) focus on enhancing skills and creating job opportunities in rural areas.
Improve Agricultural Viability: Implementing policies to enhance agricultural productivity and income stability can reduce the economic push factor. Programs like the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) aim to improve irrigation and crop yield.
Strengthen Urban Planning: Developing affordable housing and better urban infrastructure can alleviate the strain on urban areas. Effective urban planning and slum redevelopment projects are crucial in managing the influx of migrants and improving living conditions.
Addressing rural to urban migration requires a comprehensive approach that balances development in both rural and urban areas while considering socio-economic, emotional, and attitudinal factors.
Model Answer
Introduction
The increasing migration of rural people to urban areas in India presents a complex and multifaceted problem. Key socio-economic factors driving this trend include limited employment opportunities, inadequate infrastructure, and unequal resource distribution. Additionally, emotional and attitudinal factors, such as the perception of cities as hubs of opportunity and improved living conditions, play significant roles.
Body
Factors Driving Migration
(a) Educated Rural Youth
Educated youth often migrate to urban areas in search of better job prospects and access to higher education. Urban centers offer professional development opportunities and a modern lifestyle, which are appealing to this demographic (World Bank, 2019).
(b) Landless Poor People
Landless individuals migrate to urban slums seeking employment, as rural areas provide limited livelihood options. They are attracted to informal sector jobs, which often offer flexible work arrangements but come with instability (International Labour Organization, 2020).
(c) Farmers Selling Land
Some farmers sell their land due to factors such as indebtedness, crop failures, and a lack of agricultural profitability. They hope to secure a more stable income through urban employment, often taking up low-paying, informal jobs (NITI Aayog, 2018).
Feasible Solutions
Conclusion
Addressing the socio-economic, emotional, and attitudinal factors driving rural-urban migration through comprehensive strategies will foster balanced and sustainable development across India.