Internal Migration in India

Migration plays a significant role in socio-economic development. According to the 2011 Census, 37% of India's population consists of internal migrants, which marks an increase from 31% in 2001. The National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) also reported an increase in migration from 25% in 1993 to 29% in 2007-08. The Periodic Labour Force Survey 2020-21 estimates the migration rate at 28.9%.

Rural and Urban Migration Disparities

• Rural Migration Rate: 26.5%
• Urban Migration Rate: 34.9%
• The dominant form of migration is rural-urban, primarily due to better employment opportunities in urban areas and issues like poverty and unemployment in rural areas.

Trends in Internal Migration

There are notable regional differences in migration patterns:

• Intra-district Migration: Most prevalent form.
• Inter-state and Inter-district Migration: Increasing due to poverty and illiteracy in certain regions.
• States such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Haryana, and Punjab with higher per capita Net State Domestic Product attract more migrants.
• Economically backward states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Odisha are major sources of migrants.

Regional Stories of Migration

Different regions have unique migration patterns:

• Kerala: Attracts migrants from Northern, Eastern, and North-Eastern regions due to livelihood opportunities.
• Uttarakhand: Has "ghost villages" due to large-scale emigration caused by lack of employment and natural disasters.

The Paradox of Internal Migration

Remittances play a critical role in improving the economic well-being of households in source areas:

• Internal migrants contribute to two-thirds of remittances.
• Age is a crucial determinant, with individuals aged 15-45 years sending 25-60% of total remittances.
• Challenges for migrant-receiving states include pressure on housing, water, and sanitation.

Challenges and Policies for Migrants

Social and economic challenges hinder upward mobility for migrants:

• Migrants face caste and class hierarchies, landlessness, and debt.
• Migrant workers often have little access to social protection and security benefits.
• Policies addressing these challenges include the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act 2008, Maternity Benefits Act 1961 (Amendment 2017), and others.

Effective implementation of these policies can enhance opportunities and protection for informal migrant workers.

Supreme Court Ruling on Restitution of Conjugal Rights and Maintenance

The Supreme Court has ruled that proceedings on the restitution of conjugal rights and maintenance are independent, and a husband must continue to pay maintenance to his wife even if she refuses a decree for restitution of conjugal rights. This ensures a wife is entitled to financial support despite separation due to such decrees.

Law on Restitution of Conjugal Rights

• Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955: Allows a spouse to petition for restitution if the other withdraws from their society without a reasonable excuse.
• The law aims to maintain the traditional family unit, but it has been contentious, with the Andhra Pradesh High Court questioning its relevance in 1983.
• A constitutional challenge remains pending since 2019, questioning the provision's modern-day validity.

Case Background

• The wife left the matrimonial home in 2015, with the husband filing for restitution in 2018.
• In 2019, the wife sought maintenance under Section 125 of the CrPC, citing neglect.
• The family court ruled for restitution in 2022, but the wife did not comply, leading to a maintenance order of Rs 10,000 per month.
• This order was quashed by the Jharkhand High Court in 2023, which was later challenged in the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court's Decision

• The SC overturned the HC's decision, emphasizing independent consideration of maintenance and conjugal rights cases.
• Past rulings demonstrate a tendency to favor maintenance, even with non-compliance of restitution decrees.
• Each case must consider individual circumstances to determine the wife's entitlement to maintenance.

Legal Debate on Conjugal Rights

• The 1983 AP High Court ruling viewed Section 9 as coercive, but the SC upheld its social purpose in 1984.
• The provision faces criticism for perpetuating gender stereotypes and violating privacy.
• The Centre argues the law is gender-neutral and provides a non-coercive remedy for marital disputes.

Substantive hearings on the constitutionality of Section 9 are pending, highlighting ongoing legal debates and societal implications.

Mission Mausam Explained

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), established in 1875, will complete 150 years of service. To commemorate this milestone, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Mission Mausam on January 14.

Objective of Mission Mausam

• Upgrade capabilities in forecasting, modelling, and dissemination.
• Enhance disaster management capabilities through advanced meteorology.
• Budget of Rs 2,000 crore for the first two years of implementation.

Impact Areas

• Improves weather surveillance and forecasting.
• Directly benefits sectors such as agriculture, aviation, defence, disaster management, tourism, and health.

Mission Mausam aims to offer comprehensive coverage of all weather and forecasting services in India.

Achievements and Comparisons

• Relates to Mission Monsoon (2012) for monsoon prediction improvements.
• Current IMD accuracy: 
  • Heatwaves: 97.99% accuracy for forecasts up to 24 hours in advance.
  • Heavy rainfall: Approximately 80% accuracy.

Additional Functions of Mission Mausam

• Manage weather events such as enhancing or suppressing rainfall, hail, fog, and later lightning strikes.
• Strengthen research in cloud physics with a focus on weather modification.
• Establishing a first-of-its-kind cloud chamber at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune.

The cloud chamber will allow studies on seed particles forming cloud droplets or ice particles under controlled conditions, with convection properties essential for studying Indian monsoon clouds.

Oversight and Implementation

Mission Mausam will be overseen by three institutions funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences:

• India Meteorological Department (IMD)
• Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune
• National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting, Noida