‘Fear of Covid-19’ driving factor for 60% urban migration in Maha: Survey

Mumbai: A study by the Maharashtra government has found that “fear of Covid-19” was the major factor for migration for over 60 percent urban population and nearly 50 percent in rural areas

Mumbai: A study by the Maharashtra government has found that “fear of Covid-19” was the major factor for migration for over 60 percent urban population and nearly 50 percent in rural areas. The special study, which is a part of the Economic Survey of Maharashtra, looked at the impact of the Covid-19 and consequent lockdown on livelihood, education and health in the state. The survey found that 26 percent of businesses in urban areas and 29.4 percent in rural areas shut down due to the lockdown prompted by the pandemic.

Of the 9,800 households surveyed in the urban areas, 63.4 percent said they migrated due to “fear of Covid 19” (Biplov Bhuyan/HT PHOTO)

The study surveyed 66,748 people in 16,000 households in both urban and rural areas of the state. Of the 9,800 households surveyed in the urban areas, 63.4 percent said they migrated due to “fear of Covid 19”, while 49.4 percent cited the same reason from 6,200 households studied in rural areas.

The survey was conducted by the state government between August and September 2021. The survey said that during selection for the study, preference was given to households where at least one person had suffered Covid-19.

The report said that 29.4 percent of businesses shut due to lockdown in rural areas, while in urban areas it was 26 percent. Of the total surveyed people, 47.1 percent in rural areas and 19.8 percent from urban centres reported a loss of wages during the lockdown.

Of the total individuals surveyed, over 5,000 borrowed money after March 2020 during the lockdown. and over 80 percent of those asked friends and family for monetary help. The data showed that household expenses topped the reason for borrowing the money, followed by medical expenses.

On the education front, about 85 percent of students aged 5 years and above attended online school during the lockdown. The study showed that a substantial percentage of students from urban as well as rural areas faced difficulties adjusting to online education as opposed to physical classes.

“About 54 percent of students reported that frequent discontinuity of internet was the major difficulty during online classes, while about 32 percent said that surrounding noise made it difficult to focus on studies. About 52 percent students in rural areas and about 54 percent students in urban areas reported that concepts were not cleared as physical classroom teaching facility was not available,” the study showed.

It further added that about 50 percent of students in rural as well as urban areas reported a decrease in concentration during online education. “About 28 percent students in rural areas and 32 percent students in urban areas reported visual impairment and headache as the problems faced during online education,” it said.

The fear of infection also led to the non-availability or shortage of agricultural labourers. Out of the total 6,200 rural households surveyed, 4,049 were engaged in agriculture. Nearly 46.2 percent reported a shortage of agricultural labourers.