Bhubaneswar: Deputy Chief Minister Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo inaugurated Odisha’s first Mobile Migrant Resource Centre at Krushi Bhavan.
This mobile van, a joint initiative of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department of the Government of Odisha, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the United Nations Migrant Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MMTF), is designed to raise awareness in five migrant-prone blocks across the Ganjam and Kendrapara districts.
DCM Shri Singh Deo, who also serves as the Chairman of the high-level Task Force committee for migrant workers, highlighted the state government’s ongoing efforts.
He noted that the government is implementing various livelihood development programs, skill development initiatives, and employment generation schemes aimed at women, youth, and returning migrants. These programs are designed to foster self-reliance by providing local employment opportunities.
The Mobile Migrant Resource Centre is expected to play a crucial role in curbing distressed migration and raising public awareness about related issues. A toll-free helpline, 1800-345-7885, has been established to provide assistance and information to migrants in emergencies.
Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Administrative Secretary of the Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Department, stated that the mobile resource center will serve as a reliable and replicable model for the state. It will support potential migrants and contribute to the development of a structured framework for addressing migration challenges with sustainable solutions.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Labour Commissioner Shri Indramani Tripathi, Protector of Emigrants Shri Sunil Shah from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, Additional Secretary of Agriculture Shri Subhranshu Mishra, and Dr. Sangram Keshari Pattanaik, Joint Director of Agriculture.
Also present were Shri Nagendra Mallik, Assistant Director of Agriculture from the Climate Resilience Cell, and representatives from the United Nations International Organization for Migration, including Shri Amit Chaudhary, Ankita Surabhi, Nabanita, and Rutumbhara Priyadarshini. Officials from the Department of Labour and Employees’ State Insurance, FAO, WASAN, and SMRC also participated in the event.
In fact, Labour Commissioner Indramani Tripathy is actively leading initiatives for the benefits of labourers of the State, commented a former Principal Secretary Labour and ESI.