No travelling fares for migrant workers, states should provide food and water: Order of SC

The Supreme Court on Thursday took up suo motu cognisance of “certain lapses” in government measures to help migrant workers and said that concrete steps needed to be taken, Live Law reported. The court observed that there were several problems in the process of registration, transportation and providing water and food to the migrants.

The court issued interim directions to the Centre, states and Union Territories to alleviate migrant workers’



miseries. It ruled that train or bus fare should not be charged from the migrants and that states must share the travel cost. It also said all migrants who are stranded shall be provided food by the concerned state at places publicised and notified to them for the period they are waiting to board trains. 

Additionally, the originating states will provide meals and water to migrant workers during the journey and railways will also do the same, the court said.