Supreme court on Thursday directed states to pay for bus and train fares that are being charged by migrant labours who want to return their respective native place but are stuck due to lockdown.
A bench of justices Ashok Bhushan, SK Kaul and MR Shah has said that migrant workers should not charge any fare, either by bus or train and whatever it would cost should be shared between the both sending and receiving states, according to their arrangement.
SC also urged states to ensure that migrant workers are getting food from respective state and UT. In the order, SC said that while workers are waiting for their turn to boarding bus or train, the point of food distribution should be announced publicly and notified so that no worker would be deprived of food and water.
The apex court said that originating states will arrange food and water for migrant workers and during the journey in the train, it will be the responsibility of Railway to provide them food and water. The arrangement should also be done on buses.
The top court on May 26 expressed concern over miseries of migrant workers and urged states and centre to provide food, water, transport and shelter to them at free of cost.
The SC said, “Although there is no doubt that concerned state governments and UTs are taking a step, there are several lapses in the process of registration, transportation, providing food and shelter to the migrant.”
The bench added that despite getting registration, migrant workers have to wait for their turn to board train or bus. They are going a thousand miles by foot. The supreme court has directed all states to report on steps they are taking to help workers.
