Provide food, ration for stranded migrants, Supreme Court tells Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana

New Delhi, May 13

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to open community kitchens in the NCR for stranded migrant workers amid the current wave of Covid-19 and facilitate transportation for labourers who want to return home.

Passing a slew of interim directions to ameliorate the miseries of migrant workers facing difficulties in the wake of the recent surge in Covid-19 cases and restrictions imposed in several parts of India, the apex court directed that dry ration be provided to them in the national capital region (NCR) under ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Scheme’ or any other scheme by the Centre and governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

A Bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and MR Shah said the Centre may also issue instructions to the Ministry of Railways to take necessary and adequate measures to cater to the needs of migrant workers.

The top court passed the order on an application filed by three activists who sought directions to the Centre and states to ensure food security, cash transfers, transport facilities and other welfare measures for migrant workers who are facing distress due to the curbs clamped in several parts of the country amid the pandemic. “NCT of Delhi, state of UP and state of Haryana (for the districts included in the NCR) shall open community kitchen at well-advertised places (in the NCR) for stranded migrant labourers so that they and their family members who are stranded could get two meals a day,” the Bench said.

“NCT of Delhi, state of UP and state of Haryana (for the districts included in the NCR) shall ensure that adequate transport is provided to stranded migrant labourers (in the NCR) who want to return to their home,” it said.

“Dry ration to migrant workers in the NCR under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Scheme or any other scheme be provided by the Union of India, NCT of Delhi, state of UP and state of Haryana utilising the public distribution system prevalent in each state with effect from May 2021,” the Bench said. — PTI

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