The Supreme Court of India today, i.e., Tuesday, June 9, 2020 directed the Centre, States and Union Territories (U.Ts.) to ensure that all the migrant workers are identified and sent back home within 15 days.
A bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan and comprising of Justice S.K. Kaul and Justice M.R. Shah, was hearing in suo motu a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) over the plight of migrant workers.
The bench also ordered that all migrant workers should be provided proper counselling. The Centre, States and U.T.s must help them to find avenues of employment lost during Coronavirus (COVID-19) induced country-wide lockdown.
The Supreme Court also asked the authorities to withdrawal all the cases filed against migrant workers for flouting the social distancing norm. A helpdesk will also be set-up for workers who want to come back to their old places of work.
The list of migrant labourers shall be maintained village wise, Block wise and District wise to facilitate the administration to extend benefit of different schemes which may be applicable to such migrant workers.
In its 38-page order, the Court observed, “All the States / Union Territories shall take all necessary steps regarding identification of stranded migrant workers in their state which are willing to return to their native places and take steps for their return journey by train/bus which process may be completed within a period of 15 days from today.”
The order further read, “All States and Union Territories shall also give details of all schemes which are current in the state, benefit of which can be taken by the migrant labourers including different schemes for providing employment.”
The Court also said that the details of the journey by train and bus, which is to be undertaken by stranded workers should be publicise through local newspapers, local TV channels so that migrant workers are aware of such a facility.
Appearing on behalf of the Central Government, Solicitor General – Tushar Mehta, said that a total of 4,228 special “Shramik” trains have run till June 3, 2020 which have moved 57 lakh people home. He said 41 lakh others have gone home by road.
The Supreme Court has also directed all States and U.T.s to submit affidavits on schemes for migrants and their job creation by July 8, 2020 when it will take up the issue next.
In other developments, the Chief Minister of Delhi – Arvind Kejriwal has tested negative for COVID-19 after having fever and sore throat.
After attending a meeting with Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), the Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi – Manish Sisodiya informed the media that as per the estimates, Delhi will have 5.5 lakh COVID-19 cases by July end 2020. The national capital will require 80,000 beds to cater to the rising number of cases.
As per estimates, till June 15, 2020, there will be 44,000 cases and Delhi will need 6,600 beds. This figure will reach upto 1 lakh cases and would require 15,000 beds by June 30, 2020. By July 15, there will be 2.5 lakh cases and there will be a need of 33,000 beds. As of now, Delhi is the third most affected place having 29,943 cases and 974 casualties.
Meanwhile, India reported 9,987 fresh cases today and 331 casualties. Maharashtra, the worst hit state has crossed the 90,000 mark with 90,787 cases and 3,289 casualties. It registered 2,259 fresh cases today and 120 casualties. Tamil Nadu, the second most affected State registered 1,685 fresh cases and 21 casualties, taking the total tally to 34,914 cases and 307 casualties.
As per the latest updates, there are 2,73,443 cases of COIVD-19 and there have been 7,558 casualties in India.
