'Distressed Seasonal Migration' in India: The 'Problématique' and Paving towards Basic Rights of Seasonal Migrants

Migration has always been a 'Problématique' in the context of India policies for mainstreaming the disadvantaged viz 'marginalized'. Though, somewhat it has been viewed as a pathway of economic growth and reducing chronic poverty, but in most cases it has been tracked as a dreadful social issue which posses severe social problems and marginalization of a particular group of people. This paper demonstrates the key findings from the national surveys on the magnitude of 'distress seasonal migration' (basically focused upon the short term interstate and short term rural to urban migration within India). Seasonal migration (mainly from rural to urban in a particular season) leads to rapid population increase in urban areas which affects the accessibility of basic lifestyle related amenities. Hypothesized this as a negative social phenomenon, the paper also trails Seasonal Migrants and their denial of basic rights.These migrants are being deprived from the basic social amenities provided by the host states (here Migrated areas), like Public Distribution system, Health care, housing, social security, cultural and sociological challenges and also 'region based ethnic violence' with the new neighborhood etc. Seasonal migration attribute with bad experiences for the poor people throughout the migratory 'life cycle', in areas of origin, journey and destination. There are several government schemes and innovative programmes, i.e. MGNERGA, PURA which were targeted to provide justice and prosperity and somehow meant for vulnerable population (here distress seasonal migrants) are not achieving its goal. Is it necessary to rethink or in what context proactive stances can be taken.