As the Government directed the Nation to go under lockdown amid the Coronvirus crisis, another crisis broke out.
Migrant workers and labourers took to roads and streets out of panic and concern for food and shelter to stay in such scare time. Some were forced to leave, some started journies towrads their native places creating chaos and violating the direction issued.
They were stranded in places they migrated to for work, with no mode of transport to take them back home.
Media reports have shown them marching without food, no tranport support which is a concerning situation.
In wake of the same, the Supreme Court today asked the Centre to file an affidavit on the steps taken to mitigate the crisis pertaining to the exodus of migrant workers from cities amidst the nationwide Coronavirus lockdown.
The matter was taken up by the Chief Justice SA Bobde and Justice L Nageswara Rao via Video Conferencing after the petitioner, sought urgent hearing of the matter.
During the hearing today, the Court directed the Centre to file its affidavit on steps taken thus far on the situation and fixed the next date of hearing on March 31.
In the PIL, the petitioner had sought directions to the Centre to take appropriate steps to wipe out the trouble faced by migrant workers in the midst of the nationwide Coronavirus lockdown.
COURT PROCEEDINGS
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Court that the Centre as well as the States were taking various steps to mitigate the situation. He said that he would file an affidavit on behalf of the Centre regarding the steps taken in this regard.
On the other hand, the petitioner contended that there was lack of cohesion and co-operation between the Central government and the State Governments in dealing with the crisis.
Hearing both of them, the CJI said that the Court doesn't wish to deal with things that the Government is already taking steps on, and that he would like to take a look at the Government's affidavit on the steps taken first. The matter will be heard next on March 31.
The petitioner pleaded that the plight of these workers should be taken into concern and for basic facilities to be provided to them.
It is prayed that a direction be given to the Centre to,
"to immediately identify such moving/stranded migrant workers and to immediately shift them to the nearest government shelter homes/accommodations with proper food, water, medicines and under medical supervision, in a dignified manner, till the present Coronavirus Lockdown continues."
The petitioner further submitted that the fundamental rights of these workers under Articles 14 and 21 are being violated in the most inhuman manner.
He contended his fear that these workers will be stigmatized as carriers of the novel Coronavirus and will also face the uncertainty of not being accepted back in their villages which will worsen the horrors of the pandemic.
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