Bhubaneswar: Labour and Employees’ State Insurance Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia today informed the State Assembly that 403 migrant labourers from Odisha died while working outside the state during the last 10 years.
While replying to a query of BJP Lawmaker Tankadhar Tripathy, the Minister said 403 migrant workers from Odisha died in other states of India during 2015 to 2024 (till November 27).
As per the statement of the Minister, highest 59 migrant workers from Ganjam district died while working outside the state during the period. It was followed by Kalahandi district, where 39 migrant workers died in other States.
Bolangir, another migration prone district of Odisha, recorded the death of 35 migrant workers outside the state since 2015.
Among other districts, 32 such death cases were reported from Kandhamal, 28 in Rayagada district, 18 each in Boudh & Nuapada, 17 in Khurda, and 16 in Nabarangpur district, he stated.
Shri Singkhuntia, in his statement, informed the House that the government has issued 388 licenses as per provision made under the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979, for migration of 26,397 workers from Odisha in 2014.
In 2024 (till October), 883 licenses were issued for migration of 60,683 workers from Odisha, he stated.The Labour & ESI Minister said the Odisha government has set up a high-level task force under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo in October last to address the issue of distress migration in the state. The Task Force is functioning through the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department.