Allow Cookies!
By using our website, you agree to the use of cookies
PIL filed in SC for ensuring welfare of migrant workers during National lockdown
Amidst the breakout of novel coronavirus, the Central government had announced a nationwide lockdown for 21 days, in which all modes of public transport are made unavailable and thereby people are required to say wherever they are till the situation subsides. Wherein we have people who are staying in their homes and are safe while on the other we have migrant workers who are left homeless without any work on the streets. These migrant workers are from various parts of the country working in big cities to earn their livelihood. Such workers are basically involved in works such as housemaids, construction workers, rag pickers, cycle-rickshaw pullers, servants, factory workers, skilled and semi-skilled workers etc. They are left with no food, shelter, water and medical aid. Taking this into account a PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court of India by Advocate Alakh Alok Shrivastava seeking urgent intervention by the court to ensure the welfare of such workers. These workers are making an attempt to walk back to their villages as there is no transport facility available.
The PIL seeks to direct the local administration and police authorities across the country to identify such migrant workers and their families and shift them to nearest government homes where their daily essentials will be catered to, under medical supervision, in a dignified manner till the lockdown continues. The advocate also draws attention to the court on the fact that the workers are left in utmost inhuman condition, with vary limited resources at their disposal. An attempt is also made with regards the fact that even the workers are unable to cross state borders and are left stranded in various parts. Some workers who are successful in reaching their villages are not being accepted by the villagers, given that they will come with the stigma of ‘virus carriers.’ Even if they manage to enter the villages, mixing with the population might lead to an exponential increase in the spread of such virus.
The Government of India has announces a package on 26th March 2020 under ‘Prime Minister Gareeb Kalyan Scheme’ to address the concerns of poor, migrant workers and for all those who need help due to the lockdown. However, the petitioner’s concern is that the migrant workers might not be able to avail the benefits of such scheme as well. The petitioner further urged that in this situation, Fundamental Rights of the migrant workers under Article 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution are also being violated and thus soughts an immediate action from the Apex court.
Uttarakhand Chief minister, Trivendra Singh Rawat has announced that there will be a relaxation in Corona virus lockdown for 13 hours on 31st march from 7 a.m to 8 p.m for the movement of buses within the State so that stranded people can move back to their villages and hometowns. This is a great initiative taken by Uttarakhand CM and the Central Government should also take some steps in this regard.
86540
103860
630
114
59824