The COVID-19-Led Reverse Migration and Labour Supply in Rural Economy: Challenges, Opportunities and Road Ahead in Chhattisgarh

Abstract

Migration is an integral part of the Indian economy and constitutes a significant share in the GDP of the country. But the COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a devastating shock resulting in huge reverse migration in India as well as in its respective states. In this context the present study tries to investigate labour supply and employment opportunity in rural areas of Chhattisgarh due to COVID-19-led reverse migration and also examines the gender specific impacts of COVID-19 on reverse migrants in Chhattisgarh. The study also suggests the possible measures to rebuild the Chhattisgarh’s rural economy after COVID-19. Thus, the study inculcates both secondary and primary data. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis are computed to get the results. The study found that there is a sudden rise in labour supply in the rural economy of Chhattisgarh. Job loss is the biggest problem faced by migrants followed by loss in income. The study also found that there is no significant impact of reverse migration due to Covid-19 between both the gender in rural Chhattisgarh. Thus, on the basis of primary survey and focused group discussions the study concludes that the returned migrants would surely get back to their normal lives and would gradually afford the better standard of living to themselves as well as to their families. A comprehensive overview of the economic, health and gendered implications of the Covid-19 pandemic reveals the need for a more proactive and on-the-ground strategy to combat the post -crisis scenario in the rural economy of Chhattisgarh. Also, the Covid-19 pandemic have reinforced the need for and the importance of compiling data of migrants. Such a database helps in effective administration of various government interventions. However, there is also an urgent call for the proactive actions to be undertaken to retain these reverse migrants in their original source, so that they would contribute towards the development of their own state.