Cooperate in running Shramik specials, Cabinet Secy tells states

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba in a meeting with the top state officials has urged them to run more Shramik special trains to facilitate the movement of migrant workers. He also asked them to make the DMs and SPs responsible for the safety of the migrant labourers.

New Delhi: Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba on Sunday requested top state officials to cooperate in running of more Shramik special trains to facilitate the movement of migrant workers to their homes, sources said.

In a meeting with Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and Director Generals of Police of all states and Union Territories through video conferencing, soon after Lockdown 4.0 - till May 31 - was announced, he requested the state governments to make the District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police responsible for safety and well-being of migrant labourers.

Those found walking are to be escorted to camps and their movement by Shramik special trains to be facilitated, Gauba said.

The Railway Board Chairman, who was also present in the video conference, assured that more number of special trains can be started if the states provide quick clearances.

In a similar meeting through video link on May 10, the state Chief Secretaries and Principal Secretaries, Health, had called for stepping up of economic activities in a calibrated manner considering the pandemic as they shared with Gauba information on the situation during the lockdown 3.0 which is ending on Sunday.

IANS Report