Supreme Court queries states on plans for employment of returned migrants

A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, Sanjay Kishan Kaul and M.R. Shah observed that state governments should be asked to complete the process of transportation of all migrants back to their home state within the period of 15 days. "All states will be asked to bring on record, how they will provide employment and other kinds of relief to the migrant workers who have returned home....registration of all migrants of all migrants should be made compulsory," it said.

The bench also noted that it could ask the state governments to furnish complete data on migrant workers, from which city they returned, and also what kind of employment they get in their home state.

It said it will provide pass directions for foolproof registration of migrant workers, who have returned.

The apex court is likely to pronounce the order on the matter on Tuesday.

"You (state governments) have to make a scheme for their employment, counselling should take place in every block/district," observed the bench.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing an NGO, said most of the workers are illiterate, and it will be easier to get the data if the registration is decentralised and migrants are allowed to register in person.

The slew of observations was made by the apex court after hearing many senior counsel, representing various state governments, apprised it on the development made by the particular state to address the migrant woes. The apex court had taken suo moto cognizance on the problems and difficulties faced by the migrant workers' and sought replies from the Centre and state governments. (IANS)

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