Supreme Court- dry rations for migrant labourers
On 13th May, 2021 the Supreme Court held dry ration must be provided to all migrant workers in the National Capital Region under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Scheme or any other scheme. Further, the State must not insist on an identity card for those migrant labourers who do not possess them and self declaration must suffice. Community kitchens must be opened in well advertised places so as to be able to provide migrant workers with two meals a day.
Relevant extracts of the said order have been reproduced below-
“Dry ration to migrant workers in National Capital Region under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Scheme or any other scheme be provided by the Union of India, NCT of Delhi, State of U.P. and State of Haryana utilising the Public Distribution System prevalent in each State with effect from May, 2021. While providing dry ration the authorities of the States shall not insist on an identity card for those migrant labourers who do not possess for the time being and on self-declaration made by the stranded migrant labourers dry ration be given to them.
The District Administration in coordination with Police Administration may identify such stranded migrant labourers and facilitate their transport either by road transport or train. The Union of India may also issue necessary instructions to Ministry of Railways to take necessary and adequate measures to cater the need of migrant labourers.
NCT of Delhi, State of U.P. and State of Haryana (for the Districts included in the NCR) shall open community kitchen at well advertised places (in the National Capital Region) for stranded migrant labourers so that they and their family members who are stranded could get two meals a day.”
