ABSTRACT
Migration of people from one place to another is a complex phenomenon. It has multiple dimensions and differs according to class and social groups in developing countries. The process of migration is changing very fast, particularly in the globalization era which is characterised by structural changes and consequent alterations in the economy as a whole and in rural economy in particular. Hence, the nature, pattern and magnitude of migration have been evolving over time. At present, probably more than at any time in the past, movements of labour are fuelling the Indian economy. Such migration is not only a sign of dynamism, but also a reflection in increasing inequalities, agrarian crisis and inadequate livelihood generation in many parts of the country. Interestingly, the growing part of it is short-term and seasonal migration, which is often repetitive in nature, although destinations may vary (Chandrasekhar and Ghosh 2007). Since the rural migrants are not a homogeneous group, the nature, characteristics and patterns of movement also vary from one population group to another. Now, the whole spectrum of migration varies — from commuting on a daily basis to nearby places on the one hand to permanent shift of residence to distant places on the other (Karan 2003). The major driving forces behind migration are better employment opportunities and a better standard of living away from home. Bhagwati (1972) argue that the migration process carries human capital to regions of destination, involves investment in the employment of migrants, enables acquiring of new skills and emphasises the economic cycle. Short-term or seasonal migration has played a crucial role in allowing the rural populace to cope with the consequences of agrarian distress and devastated rural economies in many parts of India. Chandrasekhar and Ghosh (2007) argued that short-term migration is distress-led, driven by the complete collapse of rural employment generation, the economic difficulties of cultivation and also inadequate employment opportunities in towns. Also, interstate inequality in several dimensions of economic and social development has not declined and has, in fact, gone up in certain dimensions. Short-term migration for work has evidently increased rapidly in recent times in India, but our statistical systems are currently not adequate to capture such flows of labour (Chandrasekhar and Ghosh 2007; Srivastava 2003).
