Complete transportation of migrants in 15 days: SC

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre and all state governments to complete the process of transporting migrants within 15 days. The court will hear the matter again in July regarding its compliance order.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court today emphasised once again that the as per its June 9 order, the migrants should be transported back to their native places within 15 days and shall not be charged, whether centre pays or state pays.

The bench observed that its order had been misunderstood and asked SG Tushar Mehta, appearing for centre, to ensure the compliance of its earlier order on migrants.

Advocates appearing for the petitioners who sought free transportation of migrants appraised the court that they have been working on ground and have seen that migrants are being made to pay for the fares, there is no publicity done by the government on transportation provision, and no assurance is being given to them on when they shall be put in trains to go back.

SG reminded the petitioners that the government had transported 1000 migrants back after it received a letter.

"Grateful for that but migrants do not have access to SG. Migrants are lying on stations," remarked Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayan appearing for a petitioner.

Bench said that its order was "migrants will not pay" and it has to be complied with. Publicity for the provision also had to be done sufficiently in vernacular languages so that migrants are aware and can go back.

The Court will hear the matter again in July regarding its compliance order.