Coronavirus Lockdown 3.0: Supreme Court refuses to pass any order on travel of migrant workers

SC notes steps being taken by the Union and state governments

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to pass any order to the Centre on a plea for allowing travel of migrant workers to their native place, saying that all necessary steps were being taken by the Union and state governments.

A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, Sanjay Kishan Kaul and B R Gavai found the government has already issued an order on March 29 for the travel of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists and students who had been stranded at different places and could not move from one place to another.

For latest updates and live news on coronavirus, click here

The court also noted the order of May 1, issued by the Ministry of Railways on running “Shramik Special” trains to move migrant workers, tourists, students and other persons stranded at different places due to lockdown.

It disposed of a PIL filed jointly by Jagdeep Chhokar, former director in charge of IIM-Ahmedabad and advocate Gaurav Jain.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioners, however, contended that there were still some problems.

"So, you must have the last word," the bench asked him.

To this, Bhushan said there are some problems as the workers were being charged Rs 700- 800 for travel.

On this, the bench pointed out there were reports that 85 % cost was being borne by the Centre. Bhushan then said even 15% was too much for the workers.

He also contended that April 29 notification stated that the travel was not meant for all migrant workers. "The order says clearly that this is only for those people who have come recently and are stranded. This is creating a problem," he said, adding there should not be any restrictions on their travel.

He also said migrants were being told to go to hospital to get certificates that they do not suffer from Covid-19. The situation is becoming more extreme, he said.

Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the government was taking stock of the situation on daily basis.

Even when the petition was filed the scheme to let them go back was being finalised, he pointed out.

Mehta also said the ground situations were being monitored. "For example, when a migrant labour goes back he or she will have to placed under quarantine. The government has been proactive. We are concerned with the migrant worker. We have to ensure social distancing norms were followed," he said.