‘Migrants Are Going Back to Earn a Living’

Q: How many migrants had come to your panchayat during the lockdown?

Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) Member: My panchayat, Dumaria, is the most populated panchayat in the area, and hence a large number of migrant labourers came here. Around 1,200 - 1,300 people.

However, now most of them are going back to earn a living.

Q: What actions have been taken for the children of migrant labourers?

PRI Member: The children of migrant labourers have been enrolled in the school, and they are learning via online education.

Q: How are COVID-19 patients being identified and treated in your village?

PRI Member: The Primary Health Centre (PHC) has a testing facility. If anyone in the panchayat shows symptoms, ASHA, Anganwadi Workers, Jeevika Didis or a panchayat representative (ward member, sarpanch), takes the person to the PHC for testing.

This interview was conducted with a Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) member in Gaya, Bihar in Hindi on 22 October 2020,and has been translated.

Also download research brief: Social Security for Informal Workers in India