Supreme Court Directs Centre, States To Transport Migrants In 15 Days

New Delhi: A Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Ashok Bhushan, Justice Sanjay Kaul, and Justice MR Shah on Tuesday directed The Centre and state governments to transport migrant workers seeking to return home to their native places within 15 days. The apex court also ordered the setting up of help desks a map out the skills of migrants returning to their home states for increased employment opportunities.

The Supreme Court bench also directed the Centre to provide Shramik Special trains as demanded within 24 hours. The Bench also observed that counselling centres should be set up to enable transported migrant workers to return if they wish to come back to earn.

The apex court further asked states to consider withdrawing cases filed against migrant workers under National Disaster Management Act (NDMA) for violating lockdown orders.

The apex court listed the matter for further hearing for July 8.

In its earlier hearing, the Supreme Court heard the arguments of solicitor General Tushar Mehta who said that 4,200 Shramik Special trains had been pressed into service by the railways to transport migrants. He also informed the court that more than one crore migrant workers returned to their home states through buses and trains.

The apex court in its earlier hearing, had directed the government not to charge migrant workers train or bus fares. Supreme Court also asked authorities of the state government in question to provide food free of cost stranded migrants.