Is Supreme Court’s order on Migrant workers delayed?

The Supreme Court on Thursday gave a detailed order on the transportation of migrant workers. Centre started special Shramik trains since May 1st and since then it has become a matter of controversy between states and centre because of unclear guidelines. Since last few days, we have come across some incidents of hungry migrants looting food at railway stations. Report says that it was so difficult for them to survive on trains without food and water during these heat waves and as a result several migrants died after boarding trains for their hometown. A heart-wrenching video of a child trying to wake his dead mother is currently the talk of the town.

The Solicitor General said that they can provide the detail of migrant workers only when the state government submits that information. He added that since May 1st total of 97 lakh migrants have been transported out of which 50 lakh moved to their hometown by special shramik trains and another 41 lakh sent via road.  

Here are the key points of The Supreme Court’s order on Stranded Migrants

1.   Railways will have to provide trains on request of state governments and the fare for trains and buses will be shared by the state and central governments only. NO MIGRANTS SHALL BE CHARGED ANYTHING AS A FARE.

2.   It will be a responsibility of concerned states to provide food and water to stranded migrant workers at the place and the data shall be publicized and notified.

3.   Food and water will be provided by originating states during train and bus journeys. Railways will provide food and water on the train during long journeys.

4.   The state shall manage the registration process of migrant workers and ensure that they board the train or bus at an early date. All these details must be recorded and should be provided to all concerned.

5.   Migrant workers found walking on the roads should be immediately provided with the basic requirements like food and shelters.

Though this was required at the earlier stage when migrant workers started to move towards their hometown on their own, this step will surely help them reach their destination safely. This will also make state and central governments more sensible and prepare a concrete procedure to be followed at all levels.