Lack of amenities responsible for exodus to urban areas: Joshi

The lack of amenities in most rural areas and a dearth of employment oppurtunities are the main causes for the exodus to urban areas in the North East, Meghalaya Governor B. L. Joshi said.

This is leading to unhealthy and at times uneconomic overcrowding in urban areas and causing social tension, he told a seminar on “Population Dynamics in Northeast India” organised by the North East India Council for Social Science Research.

A study should be made on the impact of urbanisation in the North East on a democratic pattern as urbanisation in the region is seldom due to productive economic activities and industrialisation – a fact reflected by the pattern of distribution of the working population into various occupational groups and categories, he said.

Joshi said the people of the region also did not frequently move out in search of new occupations. As a result, there is increasing pressure on agricultural land.

Manpower planners needed to look into this problem which is compounded by the people’s lack of social mobility on a long-term basis.

It is time to think in terms of improving the quality of life for the people of the North East, Joshi said, adding this will depend on health and nutrition, planned expansion, cultural growth and secure social security base.

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