Jharkhand Flies Back Migrants From Ladakh

In a first, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced that the state would fly back 60 migrant workers who were stranded in Batalik-Kargil area in Leh to Ranchi. Soren thanked officials responsible for the mission as also the teams Spice Jet and IndiGo Airlines for their support.

Jharkhand is the first state to have decided to fly back its migrant workers at a time when many of them have been abandoned by their employers as also home states. The crisis of migrant workers has assumed unprecedented dimensions over the past few weeks with the Supreme Court stepping in and taking cognizance of the issue on Thursday.

The Supreme Court stated that there had been lapses on part of both the Central and state governments. The apex court came out with a detailed interim order on the transportation of migrants.

The Supreme Court directed the Railways to provide trains when state governments seek them. Importantly, the apex court said that no train or bus fare will be charged from migrant workers and will instead be shared by the states.

The Supreme Court also directed the states concerned to provide food to migrant workers where they are stranded and added that this activity should be publicised and notified. The apex court ordered the originating states and Railways to provide meals and water during the journey while food and water should also be provided in buses.