The Supreme Court on Thursday directed both the Central and state governments to frame a food security scheme for poor people, including migrant labourers in the country, stating that migrants play an important role in building the nation.
While hearing a petition on the welfare of migrant labouers in the country, a Bench headed by Justice M.R. Shah said, “In villages, they tie their stomach tightly with a cloth, drink water and sleep. If the needy cannot reach the well, the well has to go to the needy and thirsty people.
“In a welfare society, in our country, two persons are most important, farmers and migrant labourers. Migrants play an important role in building the nation. They cannot be ignored at all,” it added.
There was a need to register migrant and unorganised workers on a portal to avail beneficial schemes, observed the top court of the country.
While dealing with the problem of migrant workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Apex Court had, in June 2021, passed directions to all state and Central governments to provide food security to them and also create a database for workers in the unorganised sector.
Applications were filed this year in the Supreme Court, alleging that despite the Apex Court’s orders, little had happened on the ground.