'Govt will not stop its efforts till every single migrant is shifted': Centre tells SC

Supreme Court on Thursday heard matter surrounding condition of migrant workers stranded across various states due to nation-wide lockdown in country. Several senior lawyers including Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta along with Senior vocates Kapil Sibal, Colin Gonsalves, Indira Jaising, Sanjay Parikh and Abhishek Manu Singhvi me arguments before three-judge bench heed by Justice Ashok Bhushan.

Solicitor General began arguments before Supreme Court stating that "some unfortunate instances have come to light, even as Government was doing all that it can to tackle situation". "I must tell everyone that government will t stop its efforts until every single migrant is t shifted," Solicitor General said.

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Preliminary report filed

Centre on Thursday also filed its preliminary report before top court on steps that were being taken by government to facilitate movement of migrants. "A total of 1.85 lakh migrants are being daily transported via 187 trains on an aver," Tushar Mehta said. In some neighbouring states, migrants are being moved via ros, taking daily tally up to 3 lakh 36 thousand. "This movement of migrants is being done in coordination with originating State, receiving State and Railway Ministry," Tushar Mehta stated.

bench pointed out certain concerns that Supreme Court h regarding condition of migrants, due to which, Supreme Court h been compelled to take suo-moto cognisance of matter. primary concern of Supreme Court was that migrant should be me to pay fare to travel back home eir by rail or via ro. Solicitor General clarified that as condition stands today, fare was being borne by eir originating State and receiving State, or in case of some parts in Bihar, migrants were being reimbursed. "Originating State picks up migrants and brings m to railway stations. Once at stations, migrants are screened and deemed fit or unfit for travel. trains that y travel in are always sanitised before journey starts and social distancing rms are compulsorily followed throughout journey," he said.

Or concerns of Supreme Court were pertaining to meals being provided to migrants who were travelling, as well as those stranded in States, apart from ir home States. Centre told Supreme Court that regular meals were being provided to migrants who were travelling or stranded. " first meal, at station, is provided by government of originating state. Meals are also provided in trains by Railways. If journey is short n one meal is given, and if journey is long n 2 meals are given," Solicitor General said. se steps were being taken in dition to 5 kg of rice and 1 kg of pulses being provided to all migrants stranded in or states.

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Solicitor General also told Supreme Court of system that h been opted by Uttar Presh government through which migrants were encourd to undergo compulsory quarantine period by offering m Rs. 1000 in cash after quarantine was completed successfully. "This has worked very well," SG said. But t all migrants are er to go back home, according to Centre. "A lot of migrants have decided to walk back home inste of waiting for trains or buses mainly because re is local level instigation which is encouraging m to walk back home".

In regard to this, Solicitor General told Supreme Court that "as an officer of Court, he h complaints that needed to be voiced". He went on to say that "a large number of steps have been taken by government and Supreme Court was fully satisfied with those earlier, but re are some 'prophets of doom', who only spre negativity. All se people writing ir opinions on social media, writing articles and giving interviews cant even begin to ackwledge what is being done," he exclaimed.

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"y don't have patriotism to ackwledge that states and government are working over-night to tackle this crisis. From safai karamchari till PM, everyone is living under threat, yet still working," he ded. He objected to applications for intervention filed in matter before Supreme Court by Congress leer Randeep Surjewala and activist Medha Patkar stating, "before entertaining any of m, ask m to file an affidavit on what has been ir contribution to this crisis? Except for writing on social media, what have y done? Have y even stepped out of ir air-conditioned drawing rooms to see situation on ground?," Tushar Mehta questioned. He also urged Supreme Court to t allow institution to become a platform for political speeches by giving an opportunity to interveners to argue.

Re submissions of SG Tushar Mehta here: 

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Supreme Court after almost 3 hours of arguments, allowed states to file ir respective reports on steps taken by m within a week while also issuing a slew of directions to governments at Centre and State level. Supreme Court ordered governments to ensure that migrant is charged a single penny to travel back to ir home States, eir by ro or by rail. payment of fares of railway tickets is to be done by receiving State or originating State. In any scenario, migrant worker cant be asked to bear cost of ticket. It also asked governments to ensure that migrants were being provided with food, water and basic essentials during time y were stranded, as well as when y were travelling. matter will w be heard on June 5.