Send migrant workers home within 15 days, consider withdrawal of cases, Supreme Court tells Centre, states

The Supreme Court Tuesday directed the Centre and states to facilitate the return of migrants to their home states within 15 days, starting today. The apex court, which had taken suo motu cognizance of the issue, in its formal order said Railways shall provide Shramik trains within 24 hours to meet the demand.

It also directed state governments and Union Territories to formulate a scheme to provide employment to workers, saying their skills should be mapped. Cases against migrants for alleged violation of lockdown norms under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 should be withdrawn, the court said.

The court further asked all the states to submit their detailed affidavits on schemes, job creation etc. and fixed the matter for further hearing on July 8.