A petition has been filed in the Supreme court seeking directions to the Government to consider the suggestions for conducting COVID 19 tests and providing protective measure to the Tribals in the country more particularly in Godavari river valley area i.e., Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and Chhattisgarh State.
The petition has been filed by Dr. Pentapati Pulla Rao, highlighting the violation of lockdown orders where thousands of migrant workers from Bihar, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh have been employed for Construction of Polavaram Irrigation Project under Union Jalshakti Ministry.
The petitioner has further pointed out that the Godavari River Valley consists of a large number of Tribal population where the spread of virus and bacteria related disease is very high.
The petitioner had made a representation before the concerned authorities regarding the violation of lockdown at Polavaram Dam site and requested for testing of migrant workers, however the authorities failed to take action. Having no other option left, the petitioner approached the Apex Court.
The petitioner has submitted that the inaction on the part of the concerned authorities has posed serious threat to the lives of tribals, farmers, villagers, migrant workers and people living in Godavari river valley which is violating the fundamental rights of these people under Article 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution.
The petitioner has further prayed seeking provision of financial assistance, wages and quarantine facility to the migrant workers and a direction to restrict public gathering at Godavari River valley.