SC To Pass Order Today On A Plea Seeking To Direct Centre And State Governments To Ensure Ration And Transport For Migrant Labourers

Background

• When nationwide lockdown was imposed last year on March 24, it caused a great deal of distress especially for the migrant workers as they were left with no source of income to sustain themselves.
• The recent order passed by the Supreme Court in this regard came from an application filed by three activists.
• Keeping in mind the curbs clamped in several states of the nation, activists Anjali Bhardwaj, Harsh Mander and Jagdeep Chhokar have filed a fresh interim plea in the case seeking initiation of welfare measures.
• The Application was filed through Advocate Prashant Bhushan, who contended that they were seeking directions to the centre and the state government to continue its scheme of providing dry ration to the migrant workers under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Scheme.

Details

• The Supreme Court bench observed that it is inclined to direct commencing of community kitchens and dry rations in the NCR for the migrant labourers.
• The Supreme Court order will pass the order today itself by 4 pm on the steps to be taken by the Centre and State Government to ensure food security and transport facilities for the migrant labourers.
• The bench also held that it may issue some interim directions confined to Delhi NCR considering the submissions of Advocate Bhushan so that some arrangements can be made in Delhi, Gurgaon, Haryana, etc.
• The bench has also directed the Ministry of Railways to ensure that the migrant labourers are provided with adequate services.

Courts Observations

• In view of the Covid 19 Pandemic, the Apex court has most recently passed an order directing the centre and the state governments to ensure food and transport facilities along with some other welfare services such as cash transfer and dry ration under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat scheme or any other scheme by the Government of that state for the migrant workers suffering due to the restrictions imposed in several parts of the nation.
• The Court also directed that while distributing the dry ration, the authorities shall not insist on showing an identity card.
• The Supreme Court on Thursday, May 13th 2021 ordered the Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana Governments to start community kitchens in NCR for the aground migrant workers and also facilitate transportation for those wanting to return home.

Court’s Orders

• The Top Court also issued notices to Maharashtra, Gujarat and Bihar instructing them to provide information about the measures they plan to take in this regard.
• A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and M. R. Shah held that the Centre may also issue instructions to the Ministry of Railways to take necessary and suitable measures to satisfy the needs of the migrant workers.
• The Bench held that it is giving a 10 day time to the Governments of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Orissa to file their responses on the concerned issues. It also held that the decision with respect to the other States will be taken later and posted the matter for hearing on May 24, 2021.

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