Relief for migrant workers as SC passes interim directions; states to bear travel fare

On Thursday, May 28, three-judge SC bench comprising Justice Ashok Bhushan, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice MR Shah passed interim directions to ameliorate problems faced by migrant workers stranded in different states across country. This development came after a marathon hearing in which apex court heard Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, counsels of some states, Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, and Indira Jaising.  bench sought specific details to be brought on record by state governments such as number of migrant workers awaiting transportation to ir native places, plan for transportation, a mechanism for registration, etc. next hearing of this suo moto petition shall take place on June 5.  

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Here are interim directions:

• fare eir by train or bus will be charged from migrant workers. Railway fare will be shared by states.
• All migrants who are stranded shall be provided food by concerned state at places publicized and tified for period that y are waiting for ir turn.
• originating state should provide food and water at station and reafter, food and water shall be provided by Railways during train journey. Subsequently, destination state shall give transport, food, and water from stations to ir vills. This is applicable even for bus journeys.
• States shall speed up registration of migrant workers and build help desks near places where y are stranded. y should ensure that after registration, migrant workers are made to board train or bus at an early date. Complete information needs to be publicized so that migrants are aware of this 
• Whenever a migrant is found walking on road y will be taken to camps at earliest and provide facilities.
• As and when state governments put in a request for trains, Railways has to provide m.

Read: Bengaluru's National Law School Alumni Sends 174 Migrants From Mumbai To Ranchi Via Flight

During hearing, Solicitor General informed court that 3700 Shramik Special trains have been operated between May 1-27 transporting 50 lakh migrant workers. When bench inquired about payment of train fare, Mehta stated that eir originating or receiving states pay fare or it is reimbursed to migrant workers on some occasions. To a question from court about days required to transport all migrant workers to ir states, Mehta argued that states would be in a better position to estimate that. Before dictating order, bench ackwledged that though states and Union Territories have taken steps, several lapses have been ticed in process of registration, transportation, and providing food and water to migrant workers. 

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