The Delhi High Court on Tuesday has directed the NCT of Delhi to chart out a schedule for the Azadpur Mandi labourers to inform them in advance about the mode of transport that is arranged for them alongwith the date and time of departure.
A two judge bench comprising Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Subramonium Prasad was hearing a petition filed by the ‘Potato and Onion Masakhour Merchant Association’ seeking direction to GNCTD to ensure that about 1000 labourers stranded at Azadpur Mani, Delhi, during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period, are provided two square meals in a day, till normalcy is restored in the Mandi.
The petitioner also sought for a direction to relocate the stranded workers to a Makeshift Shelter Home within or around Azadpur Mandi.
The Court has also directed the government to set up a helpdesk at Azadpur Mandi in the evening hours so that shelter can be offered to those labourers, who are still spending the night in the open at the Mandi or are in need of ready meals.
The Counsel appearing for the petitioner informed the bench that the helpdesk which had been set up was operating from 10 AM to 6 PM, many of the labourers return to the Mandi only after 6 PM, for staying overnight in the Mandi sheds or the shops of the traders, were not present when the help desks were functioning. Hence, the petitioner urged the Court for setting up a helpdesk in the evening hours after 6 PM, so that the correct count of those labourers who require assistance of a shelter set up by the Govt. of NCT of Delhi, can be identified and directed to avail of the facility.
The bench has directed the NCT of Delhi to file a compliance report within a week.
Read the order here;
67412-2020-India Legal Bureau