Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Control migration from rural to urban areas' that was published in Newsband

Control migration from rural to urban areas

Urban governance becomes complicating as migration from rural areas picks up pace. Cities draw a large number of rural migrants looking for better prospects, particularly in developing countries now, as production, jobs and markets get concentrated.

India, China and Nigeria are expected to lead other countries and account for 35% of the projected growth in urban population by mid-century. Urbanisation in the country is a complex process. There is a need to improve facilities in rural areas to reduce migration to urban centres.

The imperative before the Centre and State governments is to come up with policies that provide adequate services in the villages. There is only a third of the population living in cities.

Housing deficits have led to the proliferation of slums. The metros are heavily congested. The recent data released by the World Health Organisation show, 14 Indian cities are among the top 20 worldwide with the worst air quality profiles for fine particulate matter of 2.5 micrometres. Most cities are also unable to collect and dispose of municipal waste scientifically. Such a dismal scenario can only get worse with higher population concentrations.

The Centre’s goal of homes for all by 2022 is laudable, it is unlikely to be realised without a push from the States. Augmenting rental housing should be a priority within the plan. Government should give enough priority to rural economic development by establishing the Food Processing Units, subsidising the animal husbandry, dairy, fisheries so that employment is created. People will then stay in rural areas.

The migration from rural area indicate huge problems of unemployment in the area and people are forced to seek refuge in cities. Cities have Job opportunities, Best facilities of medical and education, Living standard by getting maximum required things at a stone through distance and schemes like smart cities attracts the rural people. All such factors are attributed in migration from rural areas to urban areas.

Urban cities are not fully prepared to take care of such migration. Laws regarding forming of slum clusters and unapproved building developments should be formed.

 Civic anarchy is a direct result of poor or no planning, rampant corruption, lack of administrative & financial discipline on part of almost all Gram Panchayats, Municipal Councils & Corporations and wastage of available funds, poor public transport, poor infrastructure and pollution in urban areas. What is distressing is that residents of urban areas are helpless and hence most of them feel frustrated or unconcerned about all these problems; truth is that they are compelled to accept the ground realities and have to carry on.

Political leadership which can make efforts to change this gloomy scenario is conspicuous by its absence. Is it not true that all political parties have one common interest, that of making money? Yes, there are few civic groups who work to improve matters but their efforts are feeble.

All people are going urban to areas and metros in search of jobs or something else. But they are forgetting that our life depends on rural productivity. So governments should not only develop industries but also make schemes for safety and growth of rural economy.