Send migrants home within 15 days, provide them employment: Supreme Court

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.

On May 28, the top court had questioned the Centre and states on the plight of stranded migrant workers and ordered that no fare should be charged for their journey home, and that arrangements be made to provide them with food. It had also directed that states share the bus or train fare of the stranded migrants returning home. It said while the state from where they set out shall provide meals and water at the bus station, the Railways should provide it during the journey.

On May 26, the Bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, S K Kaul and M R Shah had said it was “of the view that effective concentrated efforts are required to redeem the situation”.

Pointing out that “the crises of migrant labourers is even continuing today with large sections still stranded on roads, highways, railway stations and state borders,” the judges had said “adequate transport arrangement, food and shelters are immediately to be provided by the Centre and State Governments free of cost”.

The top court had also said that “in the present situation of lockdown in the entire country, this section of the society needs succour and help by the concerned governments… steps need to be taken by the Government of India, State Governments/Union Territories in this difficult situation”.