The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed all the State Governments/ Union Territories to comply with the directions of the Supreme Court in the case of Alakh Alok Srivastava vs Union of India on a PIL seeking provision of basic amenities such as food, water and shelter to the migrant workers.
The bench comprising Chief Justice SA Bobde and Justice L Nageswara Rao had on 31st March issued certain directions for the welfare of the migrant workers.
The bench had directed the Union of India to ensure that the mental health of the migrant workers are not disturbed & to calm down those who are in a state of panic.
The bench had also directed that trained counsellors and/or community group leaders belonging to all faiths to visit the relief camps/shelter homes and deal with any consternation that the migrants might be going through.
Further the State Governments/Union Territories should endeavour to engage volunteers along with the police to supervise the welfare activities of the migrant workers.
The MHA has further said that considering the situation the county is facing and the need to implement the lockdown measures effectively, it has requested all the states to take necessary action in this regard.
-India Legal Bureau