New Delhi: After two months since the lockdown ordered by the government began in the wake of coronavirus, the Supreme Court today took a suo moto cognizance of the "problems and miseries of the migrant labourers" who are stranded in various parts of the country.
The bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan and comprising of Justice SK Kaul and Justice MR Shah, issued notice to the centre, state governments and UTs to respond over the matter considering the urgency.
The top court observed that the media reports have been showing continuously the "unfortunate and miserable conditions of migrant labourers" walking on foot or travelling by cycles for very long distances. There are also reports of the administration of not providing food and water in the way i.e highways where the migrants have proceeded.
"In the present situation of lockdown in the entire country, this section of the society needs succour and help by the concerned Governments especially steps need to be taken by the Government of India, State Government/Union Territories in this difficult situation to extend helping hand to these migrant labourers," read the order.
The top court pointed out that the crisis of migrants has been continuing even today with large sections still stranded on the road, railways, railway stations and state borders. It directed that adequate transport arrangement, food and shelters are to be immediately provided by the centre and the state governments free of cost.
"Although the Government of India and the State Governments have taken measures yet there have been inadequacies and certain lapses. We are of the view effective concentrated efforts are required to redeem the situation. We thus, issue a notice to the Union Of India, and all states/Union Territories to submit their responses looking into the urgency of the matter," read the order.
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It has directed the matter to be listed day after tomorrow i.e 28th May, and has asked SG Tushar Mehta to inform the court about all the measures taken by the Government of India and to be taken in this regard.
Numerous applications and Public Interest Litigations were filed in the Supreme court seeking relief for the migrants but the court had repeatedly refused to pass any orders relying on the government to take appropriate steps and trusting the submissions made by the government regarding the steps taken for the plight of the migrants.
In these past two months of the lockdown, the top court has been severely criticised by various sections of the society which alleged that the court has not been taking care of the people and is acting according to government. Various petitioners had cited the media reports which were dismissed by the court.
