Centre asks states to seal borders, prevent migration of workers
The Centre on Sunday issued fresh directives asking all states to prevent the migration of workers amid the 21-day nationwide lockdown. The development comes a day after the Centre had asked all states to tap into their State Disaster Relief Funds (SDRF) to set up relief camps and provide shelter and food to the migrant workers. Here are more details.
Why are the workers migrating?
On Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown that came into effect hours after the announcement. Due to the lockdown, several workers and daily wage laborers were put out of work. Wary of the financial strain, many chose to return home. However, since all transport was shut down amid the lockdown, they decided to complete their journeys on foot.
Ensure there's no movement of people across cities, highways: Centre
The Centre said Sunday that it has ordered all district and state borders to be sealed. States have been ordered to ensure that there is no movement of people across cities or highways. Only the movement of goods is allowed. District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police have been made "personally responsible" to ensure the implementation of these directives, issued under the Disaster Management Act.
Labor wages to be paid; house rent relaxed
The Centre has advised states to make adequate arrangements for food and shelter for the poor and needy by utilizing the SDRF. The Centre has asked states to ensure payment of wages to the laborers during the lockdown. It has also said that house rent should not be demanded from laborers during this period. Those asking laborers or students to vacate will face action.
Those who already migrated to face quarantine
The Centre said that those who have already migrated during the lockdown will face a minimum 14-day quarantine in government quarantine facilities. Detailed instructions for the same have been issued by to the states, the Centre said.
Earlier, state governments arranged buses to allow Delhi-UP migration
As thousands of migrant workers attempted to cross the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border on foot earlier this week, special buses were arranged to ferry them to their homes. On Saturday, the issue made national headlines as thousands crowded inter-state bus stations and left for homes crammed in buses, as all social distancing protocols were disregarded. These workers will face a 14-day quarantine.
In Kerala's Kottayam, migrant workers gathered demanding transport to homes
In Kerala's Kottayam district, hundreds of migrant workers gathered demanding transport to their hometowns. The workers were assured that the state government has made all arrangements for food and shelter. After repeated appeals, the crowd reportedly dispersed.
