Due to the outbreak of Covid- 19 lakhs of migrants have returned to the State. The Rural Development Department through surveys at its level has collected information related to the identity, interest and skill of the migrants. As per the Mission Saksham survey conducted by members of Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society and Sakhi Mandal, a database of about 4.56 lakh migrants has been prepared from the rural areas of the State.
According to the data 37.2 percent migrants are interested in farming while 13.8 percent are keen to make animal husbandry a means of employment. Based on the data, the Department is trying to connect the migrants to the various schemes.
As per the directives of Aradhana Patnaik, Secretary Rural Development Department migrants interested in agriculture, animal husbandry and allied sectors for self employment are being linked with the National Rural Livelihood Mission for immediate relief.
In this link, seeds have been made available to migrants interested in farming while women are also being connected to Sakhi Mandals.
Seed distribution including paddy, maize, arhar, peanuts along with kitchen guard kits has been made available to the women of Sakhi Mandals. About 4370.49 quintal of seed distribution has been ensured across the State so that the livelihood empowerment initiative can be carried out during the rainy season.
Under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, financial assistance has also been extended to numerous families by the women of Sakhi Mandal for relief during the Covid-19 disaster in the villages. Recently an amount of Rs 75 crore was made available to 50 thousand Sakhi Mandals as active funds by the Chief Minister.
So far, Rs 120 crore as active funds has been made available to 80 thousand Sakhi Mandals and about 10 lakh families have benefitted from this across the State. This is a major step in livelihood promotion in villages.
Sakhi Mandals are playing an important role during the Covid-19 pandemic. Vijay Bhushan, a migrant from Narayanpur, Chatra used to drive an auto in Ranchi and went home during the lockdown. His wife Kavita Devi fulfilled his dream of buying an auto by taking a loan through credit linkage from Durga Aajevika Sakhi Mandal.
Similarly, Janaki Mandal of Pakur has also taken a loan and is now selling vegetables. Her husband Sunil Mandal, a migrant from Kolkata is supporting her in running the house. Various such women have taken up self employment to make their families self sufficient.
