SC to hear plea over migrant workers' miseries amid lockdown today

The Supreme Court is set to hear a petition on Thursday filed by human rights activist Medha Patkar over the "miseries and difficulties" being faced by migrants workers across the country during the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

A three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan and also comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and MR Shah, will hear Patkar's petition today.

Medha Patkar, in her petition, sought a direction for a uniform platform to be created which can be used by all migrants for the ticketing system.

Patkar had earlier held a protest in Barwani district of Madhya Pradesh demanding immediate resolution of the problems faced by labourers stranded due to the coronavirus-induced nationwide lockdown. 

"The labourers left their homes without taking their salaries. They should be given foodgrains for their survival, if not free then at a nominal cost.
 

The petition sought directions to the appropriate governments (Centre and state governments) and authorities concerned for providing shelter, homes, food, and other basic necessities to migrant labourers walking back homes on-foot.

Patkar also said that these migrant labourers should be provided financial help and also sought directions to come up with a scheme for them to find employed post lockdown.

She alleged that the restrictions were imposed without any planning and that there was no coordination between states and the Centre.

The apex court will also hear today the issue pertaining to the plight of lakhs of migrant labourers issue facing difficulties during the lockdown. The top court had on May 26 taken suo moto cognizance of the "problems" and "miseries" of migrant labourers and noted that there have been certain lapses on part of the Centre and State governments in providing help.

The court had also issued notices to the Government of India, governments of all State and Union Territories in the country, asked them to file their responses on the matter and posted it for hearing on May 28. The court had also sought the assistance of the Solicitor General on the matter.