Odisha's Chief Minister Declares Reverse Migration Amid Job Growth: What’s Behind the Trend?

Job Opportunities Spark Reverse Migration in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: On Monday, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced that Odisha is experiencing a trend of 'reverse migration' as job opportunities in both public and private sectors expand due to the state's rapid industrial growth.

During the 'Nijukti Mela', he distributed appointment letters to 1,326 individuals selected for various roles across nine government departments.

Since July 2024, the state government has successfully created jobs for 45,408 young people, along with an additional 40,000 positions in the private sector.

Majhi emphasized that the ongoing recruitment initiatives and industrial job availability are encouraging many Odias, who had sought employment elsewhere, to return home. He shared the story of a woman from Salipur in Cuttack who moved back from Tirupur to join an apparel factory in Odisha.

He also mentioned that several technical professionals have returned to the state to work in a drone manufacturing facility.

The chief minister highlighted that the government is intensifying efforts to generate employment through industrial development.

He stated, 'We are committed to bringing back as many individuals as possible who are working in other states,' and outlined plans to foster industrial growth in every district of Odisha to create more local job opportunities and minimize out-of-state migration.

Addressing the newly appointed youths, Majhi remarked that success in government roles should not be gauged solely by rank but by the positive impact they can have on citizens' lives. The new hires span various departments, including Housing and Urban Development, Energy, Agriculture, Fisheries, Health, Skill Development, and Excise.

He explained that the aim of government recruitment is to enhance human resources, ensuring that the state's budget is effectively utilized without being hampered by manpower shortages. 'Our objective is to ensure that all government services reach the most marginalized communities, which is achievable with adequate staffing,' he added.

While congratulating the new recruits, the chief minister urged them to avoid corruption, emphasizing that 'service' should be their primary goal.

In contrast, the opposition BJD dismissed the chief minister's assertion of creating over 45,000 government jobs since June 2024.

BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty criticized the BJP government for failing to deliver on its employment promises, claiming that the majority of the job advertisements for nearly 39,000 positions were issued during the previous Naveen Patnaik administration.

He stated, 'This indicates that the BJP government has only made 6,000 new appointments, clearly demonstrating its inability to fulfill employment commitments over the past two years.'

Mohanty pointed out that the BJP had pledged to create 150,000 government jobs within five years, which would require 65,000 appointments in two years, yet only 6,000 have been made.

He also noted that 24 examinations have been canceled during the BJP's tenure, highlighting the government's incompetence in managing the recruitment process.

Furthermore, he reported that the unemployment rate in the state has surged from 0.9% to 3.5% since the BJP took office, calling for accountability from the government.