Supreme Court Orders Centre and States to Provide Free Transportation and Shelter to Migrant Workers

Strategic Insights -

The Supreme Court, in a landmark decision, ordered the Centre and states to provide free transportation and shelter to migrant workers stranded due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The court also directed the governments to furnish estimates of the time required to transport all stranded migrants back home. In a hearing through video conference, the bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, Sanjay Kishan Kaul, and M R Shah emphasized the need for states to provide food, shelter, and basic amenities to migrant workers while they wait for their turn to board transport. The court's decision comes as a relief to millions of migrant workers who have been stranded across the country.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Supreme Court ordered the Centre and states to provide free transportation and shelter to migrant workers stranded due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The court directed the governments to furnish estimates of the time required to transport all stranded migrants back home.
  • The bench emphasized the need for states to provide food, shelter, and basic amenities to migrant workers while they wait for their turn to board transport.
  • Solicitor General Tushar Mehta admitted that there were initial glitches regarding who would pay the railways for transporting migrant workers but the Centre and state governments worked out a mechanism to resolve the issue.
  • Between May 1 and 27, the government had sent 91 lakh guest workers home on 3,700 Shramik Special trains and buses.
  • The court asked the Centre and states to furnish details of the action plan for evacuation of stranded guest workers by June 5.
  • The bench also directed the court to examine in future the arrangements for employment and food that should be made by the respective state governments for guest workers who have arrived after leaving their workplaces.

Statistics:

  • 91 lakh guest workers were sent home between May 1 and 27.
  • A total of 3,700 Shramik Special trains and buses were used to transport migrant workers during this period.
  • The government is willing to provide as many trains as the states want to send back those guest workers who want to go home.

Sources:

  • [Source: The Times of India, "Migrant workers: SC orders Centre, states to provide free transport, shelter"]
  • [Source: The Indian Express, "Supreme Court orders Centre and states to provide free transport, shelter to migrants"]