Allow Cookies!
By using our website, you agree to the use of cookies
The Supreme Court passed directions to the Government after hearing a plea on Migrant workers’ pathetic situation in the current COVID-19 crisis. Advocate Sanjay Parikh appeared on behalf of an Activist Medha Patekar who emphasised upon the financial assistance to migrants and a unified ticketing system for travelling in trains amidst the lockdown. Tushar Mehta appeared for the State. Senior Advocated Kapil Sibal, Colin Gonsalves and Indira Jaising played the role of interveners in the suo moto case of IN Re: Problems & Miseries of Migrant Workers.
He pointed out some legal provisions of the National disaster Management plan, 2005. A systematic action plan by the National executive committee (NEC) has to be taken whenever a disaster happens. The National disaster management Authority approves it. Some Minimum standards like shelter, water, food, medical cover and sanitation have to be fulfilled. The plan has to be carved out under the Section 11 of the Disaster management Act, 2005. The Integration, preparedness and capacity building of mitigation measures are enumerated in the plan to respond to disasters. Responsibilities are assigned to the various ministries and the Government to tackle the disasters. This plan has to be reviewed and updated annually. The Budget has to be made for financing the measures.
The Section 12 required an adoption of some minimum standards which include various elements. Requirements like food, drinking water, etc. have to be provided at the relief camps. The Orphans and widows need special care. The Guidelines have not been followed properly by the Government. The People are walking at long distances because of ineffective implementation of the guidelines and non-coordination. The Trains are running at 3% capacity.
The Court took suo moto cognizance of the migrants’ crisis and said that there were inadequacies and lapses in the measures taken. It also held that no fares should be collected from migrants for travelling.
86540
103860
630
114
59824