The three-judge Bench of the apex court on the 26th of May ordered both Centre and the States to provide basic necessities to the stranded migrant labourers at the earliest.
Post lockdown the migrant workers from all parts of India suffered a huge crisis and to protect their rights the suo motu awareness ( on its own motion) of media reports and representations from senior lawyers stepped in and the matter was taken by the judges resulting in the immediacy ordering of both Centre and States to reach them out.
Admitting to the fact the courts said, “Crisis is even continuing today with large sections of migrant laborers still stranded on roads, highways, railway stations, and State borders and effective concentrated efforts were required to redeem the situation.”
Justice Ashok Bhushan laying the Bench on Tuesday in a written order said, “Adequate transport arrangements, food, and shelters are immediate to be provided by the Centre and the State governments free of cost. Although the Government of India and the State governments have taken measures yet there have been inadequacies and certain lapses.”
A clean record with accurate data and statistics has been asked from the Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta by 28th May.
On May 15th the Supreme Court said that it can’t stop migrants from walking home but with the constant criticism and major loopholes in the actions of the implementations of the government’s policies the grievances were brought in the notice of the court.
“Newspaper reports and other media reports have been continuously showing the unfortunate and miserable conditions of migrant laborers walking foot and cycling for long distances. They have also been complaining of not being provided food and water by the administration at places where they were stranded or in the way i.e. highways from which they proceeded on foot, cycles, or other modes of transport.” The court said.
“In the present situation of lockdown in the entire country, this section of society needs aid and help by the governments concerned. Steps need to be taken by the Government of India, State Governments or Union Territories in this difficult situation to extend a helping hand to migrant labourers.” It emphasized.
Source: The Hindu
