- According to official data, more than 6,200 people have already migrated back to Uttarakhand in recent years
- The government believes that structured community engagement through Pravasi Panchayats, combined with targeted awareness of support measures, can further accelerate this trend and contribute to a stronger rural economy across the state
The Uttarakhand government has announced a new initiative aimed at strengthening efforts to curb outward migration and promote the return of people to their native villages. As part of this plan, Pravasi Panchayats will be organised across all 13 districts of the state, with Pithoragarh chosen as the pilot district. The programme is designed to connect returning migrants, local communities, and government officials on a common platform to encourage sustainable reverse migration.
The decision was taken during the 10th meeting of the Rural Development and Migration Prevention Commission, chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Addressing the meeting, the chief minister acknowledged that migration has remained a long-standing challenge for Uttarakhand, particularly in its hill regions. However, he noted that over the past four to five years, the state government has made consistent efforts to reverse this trend by focusing on rural development and livelihood generation.
- Under the Pravasi Panchayat initiative, individuals who have returned to Uttarakhand after working in other states or abroad will share their experiences with villagers
- These real-life accounts are expected to inspire confidence among those considering a return to their hometowns
- Alongside this, government officials will provide detailed information about various welfare schemes, incentives, financial assistance, and support systems available for setting up businesses or pursuing livelihood activities in rural areas
The chief minister directed officials to ensure that migrants working both within India and overseas are invited to participate in these panchayats. He also emphasised the importance of gathering feedback and suggestions from returning migrants to further refine government policies related to migration and rural employment.
Vice-chairman of the commission, SS Negi, said preparations are underway to organise the first Pravasi Panchayat in Pithoragarh in March next year, after which the programme will be rolled out in other districts. He highlighted that migration in Uttarakhand is often short-distance, with people moving to nearby towns or districts. Many potential returnees, he said, remain unaware of government schemes that provide grants, subsidies, and loan support for starting small enterprises or livelihood projects.
