"Central & State Govts Taking Neccesary Steps" SC Disposes Off Plea On Issue Of Migrant Workers Being Charged For Moving Back Home [Read Order]

The Supreme Court on Monday disposed off the plea on the issue of migrant workers being charged for travelling back home has been

A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Ashok Bhushan & BR Gavai observed that all necessary steps were being taken care of by the Centre & States in this regard.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan appeared for the petitioner, stating that the central government must provide migrant workers the ways and means for movement.

"Fare charged from these people is only 15 per cent of the charge. Even that 15 percent is too high for them. Why cant the central allow them to travel free?" Bhushan

While pointing to the circular, issued by the government, Bhushan pointed out that the same was only for for people who had come recently and emphasised on issues surrounding the implementation of circulars.

"Most of the migrant labourers are asked to go to the hospital and bring certificate to show the concerned authority, why this things are happening?Where they will go and bring these medical certificates, it is very difficult for them to go to hospital for medical certificates" - Advocate Prashant Bhushan

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta urged that all rules were being followed to tackle this issue and that the all logistics were being to action in order for their service.

"We are following all rules as to how we can provide all kinds of facilities to migrant labourers and we are concerned and we are doing our bit to help them all. Ground situations are being monitored, for example when a migrant labourer goes back, he or she will have to placed under quarantine, so SOP has to be in place. Govt has been proactive. we are concerned with the migrant worker." - Solicitor General 

The supplemenatary affidavit had been filed by Jagdeep Chhokar in the plea seeking directions to allow migrant workers across the country and to return to their hometowns and villages, and to arrange for their safe travel by providing necessary transportation to this effect.

The Affidavit averred that the States should not be charging stranded migrant workers who have negligible financial support and zero earnings, for their journey back home.

On 29th April, the Ministry of Home Affairs had issued an Order wherein migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists and other persons who are stranded at different places were allowed to move back to their residence/home towns. The Order further mentioned that buses/road were to be the mode of transportation, and on the basis of a PIB notification dated 1st May, the Indian Railways were to commence operations to transport these people back to their homes.

Click Here To Download Order

[Read Order]