Centre's guidelines on movement of migrant workers to be strictly followed: MHA

All states and union territories (UTs) will have to "strictly follow" the home ministry's latest guidelines allowing cross-country movement of stranded migrant workers, students and pilgrims during the ongoing lockdown, a senior official said on Thursday.

The Union government had on Wednesday issued fresh directives allowing states to transport stranded students, migrant labourers, tourists and pilgrims to their home states or destination by strictly following guidelines meant to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country.

Asked during a press briefing if special trains and private vehicles will also be allowed to transport these people as demanded by some states and others,Joint Secretary in the Union home ministry Punya Salila Srivastava said the orders issued at present were for "using buses and for group of persons".

Asked if e-commerce activities will resume post May 3, when the extended lockdown is scheduled to end, Srivastava said "we should wait" for the new orders to come.

"State governments have to keep in mind certain things while arranging their movement. All states and UTs will appoint their nodal officers who will develop standard protocols for such stranded people."