Allow intra-state labourers to move to their native places in Maharashtra: Bombay HC tells state government

Allow intra-state labourers to move to their native places in Maharashtra: Bombay HC tells state government

A bench of Justice Ravi Deshpande, however, clarified that these labourers must be sent back home only after they are medically examined.

Narsi BenwalUpdated: Thursday, April 16, 2020, 10:25 AM IST
article-image
Bombay-high-court |

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday voiced its concern over the problems faced by thousands of migrant labourers stranded in various parts of the state, particularly in Mumbai. The High Court has suggested that the government allow at least intra-state labourers to move to their native places in Maharashtra, which would ease the burden on the administration.

A bench of Justice Ravi Deshpande, however, clarified that these labourers must be sent back home only after they are medically examined.

The court also ordered the state government to conduct a survey and prepare a list of such labourers. To this, Advocate General (AG) Ashutosh Kumbhakoni assured the bench that the government would consider the suggestion.

"I had put some suggestions in respect of the intra-state workers. It was expressed that if these migrant workers are permitted to travel to their places or destinations or homes within Maharashtra, that would ease out the burden on the administration, where such workers are stranded," Justice Deshpande said in his order.

The judge further added, "But before permitting the intra-state migrants to travel to their destinations or homes, medical examinations should be conducted so that the dreaded disease does not spread in the rural areas, which presently remains unaffected."

The bench was dealing with a clutch of petitions highlighting the issues of migrant labourers. During the course of the hearing, the bench noted that another grievance of migrant workers stranded at various shelter homes across the state was regarding the response to their complaints. "If the grievance redressal mechanism at the taluka level is provided, and if it immediately responds to the complaints about non-availability of water, sanitation, food, shelter, etc., that can be taken care of.

The AG assures that the taluka level committees shall look into the grievance of the migrant workers and appropriate response shall be immediately provided," Justice Deshpande noted in his order.

As far as the inter-state migrant workers are concerned, the court said the issue was to be tackled by the Union government. "The problem of COVID-19 is not restricted to this country, but it pertains to infection which has spread all over the entire world.

The inter-state migration of the workers and the labourers is the issue which is to be tackled by the Union government in consultation with the state government," Justice Deshpande pointed out. The judge noted that the Supreme Court is monitoring a similar issue and thus the High Court cannot pass appropriate orders.

RECENT STORIES

Attention Mumbaikars! Fares Of Shared Cabs To Pune, Nashik & Shirdi Hiked; Check Details Here

Attention Mumbaikars! Fares Of Shared Cabs To Pune, Nashik & Shirdi Hiked; Check Details Here

Mumbai: Sena UBT Lok Sabha Candidate Amol Kirtikar Receives 2nd ED Summon In Khichdi Scam Case;...

Mumbai: Sena UBT Lok Sabha Candidate Amol Kirtikar Receives 2nd ED Summon In Khichdi Scam Case;...

Mumbai: Drugs Sent In Foreign Post; 1 Arrested

Mumbai: Drugs Sent In Foreign Post; 1 Arrested

Mumbai: Western Railway Official Gets 3-Year Jail In Corruption Case

Mumbai: Western Railway Official Gets 3-Year Jail In Corruption Case

Mumbai: Churchgate Reataurant Owner Accuses Former Manager Of Extortion

Mumbai: Churchgate Reataurant Owner Accuses Former Manager Of Extortion