GOI asks States, Union Territories to ensure migrant workers intending to return homes, board the designated trains & arrange food, shelter till their departure

AMIDST the twin priorities to continue the fight to combat COVID-19 and putting the economy on the rails back, GOI  has taken seriously the migrant workers trying to walk back to their native states feeling disgusted with the states where they were employed. They lost jobs and became penniless due to nationwide lockdown necessitated to contain the pandemic. It has asked all States and Union Territories to ensure that they travel home by the special trains being run for them from various parts of the country. Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla also sought their cooperation in running more Shramik Special trains for the migrant workers. In a  letter to the States and UTs, he has recalled the meet chaired by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba on Sunday where the situation of migrant workers walking on roads and railway tracks was noted with great concern. “Since their movement by buses and ‘Shramik’ special trains have already been allowed to enable their travel to native places, all State/UT governments should ensure that migrant workers do not resort to walking on the road and on railway tracks,” he said. In case they are found in such condition, the Home Secretary said, they should be appropriately counselled, taken to nearby shelters and provided with food, water, etc. till such time they are facilitated to board the Shramik Special trains or buses.  Bhalla said as requested by the cabinet secretary, all State/UT governments should cooperate with the railways in running more Shramik Special trains so that travel of stranded migrant workers is facilitated at a faster rate. I urge upon you all to allow receiving of all Shramik special trains without any hindrance and facilitate faster movement of stranded migrant workers to their native places,” he said.

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