Uttarakhand Migration Prevention Commission – Complete Details for Competitive Exams
The Uttarakhand Migration Prevention Commission, earlier known as the Uttarakhand Gramya Vikas Avam Palayan Aayog, is a key state-level body established to address the serious issue of migration (पलायन) from rural and hilly areas of Uttarakhand. The commission plays an important role in studying migration trends, identifying causes, and recommending policy measures for migration control and reverse migration.
1. Establishment of the Commission
- The Migration Prevention Commission was established by the Government of Uttarakhand.
- It was constituted to tackle large-scale migration from hill and rural regions.
- The commission evolved from the earlier Gramya Vikas Avam Palayan Aayog.
2. Headquarters
- The headquarters of the commission is located at Dehradun.
- Being the state capital, Dehradun serves as the administrative centre for policy planning and coordination.
3. Leadership of the Commission (Very Important for Exams)
3.1 Chairman
- The Chairman of the Uttarakhand Migration Prevention Commission is the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.
- Currently, the Chairman is Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami.
- This ensures direct political leadership and policy-level decision making.
3.2 Vice Chairman (Active Working Head)
- The Vice Chairman acts as the active working head of the commission.
- The current Vice Chairman is Dr. Sharad Singh Negi.
- He is responsible for:
- Day-to-day functioning of the commission
- Research and surveys on migration
- Policy recommendations to the state government
4. Meaning of Palayan (Migration)
- Palayan refers to the movement of people from their native place to other regions.
- In Uttarakhand, migration mainly occurs from:
- Hill villages to plains
- Rural areas to urban centres
- Within and outside the state
5. Reasons for Migration in Uttarakhand
- Lack of employment opportunities
- Poor road connectivity and infrastructure
- Limited education and health facilities
- Low agricultural productivity
- Natural disasters and climate challenges
- Human–wildlife conflict
6. Objectives of the Migration Prevention Commission
- Study the causes and patterns of migration.
- Create a database of migration-affected villages.
- Suggest measures to prevent distress migration.
- Promote reverse migration through local employment.
- Support rural development and livelihood generation.
7. Key Functions
- Conduct research and field surveys on migration.
- Identify most affected districts and blocks.
- Recommend employment-based development models.
- Coordinate with various government departments.
- Monitor implementation of migration-related schemes.
8. Focus Areas of the Commission
- Rural employment generation
- Skill development of youth
- Promotion of agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry
- Tourism and homestay development
- Encouraging startups and local entrepreneurship
9. Districts Highly Affected by Migration
- Pauri Garhwal
- Tehri Garhwal
- Almora
- Pithoragarh
- Chamoli
- Bageshwar
10. Importance for Competitive Exams
- Frequently asked in UKPSC Prelims as current affairs.
- Important for Mains answers related to migration and rural development.
- Useful for interview questions on hill economy and governance.
11. One-Line Exam Facts
- Chairman – Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.
- Current Chairman – Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami.
- Vice Chairman – Dr. Sharad Singh Negi.
- Headquarters – Dehradun.
- Main aim – Migration control and reverse migration.
12. Conclusion
The Uttarakhand Migration Prevention Commission is a vital institutional response to the long-standing problem of migration from hill and rural areas. Under the leadership of the Chief Minister as Chairman and Dr. Sharad Singh Negi as Vice Chairman, the commission focuses on evidence-based policymaking, livelihood generation, and sustainable rural development. For Uttarakhand government exam aspirants, this topic is crucial from both static and current affairs perspectives.