Migrants not to be charged for train, bus travel, States to provide food : SC

NEW DELHI, May 28
The Supreme Court on Thursday said that stranded migrant workers will not be charged for travel either by train or buses and directed the States to bear the expenses. The State Government will also provide them food and water at stations and bus terminals, while the Railways will ensure meals for all during the journey.
India’s total count of cases has risen to 1,58,333 after 6,566 new infections were reported in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday. The toll in the country jumped by 194 to 4,531. Across the country, 67,691 people have recovered so far.
United States’ coronavirus toll crossed 1 lakh on Wednesday even as the daily average deaths declined and several States began to emerge from the lockdown. The country has reported 16,99,126 cases so far, the maximum in the world.
Globally, the coronavirus has infected more than 56 lakh people and claimed 3,55,615 lives, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.
The National helpline number for the coronavirus is 011-23978046, and a toll-free number 1075.
The Supreme Court on Thursday took up the matter of migrants’ travel and their care, after multiple deaths have been reported on board the trains transporting them back to their home States. Here are the key takeaways from today’s hearing:
The top Court observes that the Centre and State Governments require to be given more time to bring the steps taken by them on record. However, in the meantime, it issued a set of interim directions to alleviate the misery of migrants.
Migrant workers will not be charged fares for travel either by train or bus, while the railway fare is to be shared by States.
They shall be also provided food by the concerned States and Union Territories during the period when they are waiting for their turn to board a train or a bus.
The originating State will also provide them food and water at stations and bus terminals.
During the journey, the Railways will ensure all workers are given timely meals.
Food will also be provided to migrant workers during bus journeys.
Meanwhile, States shall oversee the registration of migrants and will ensure that after registration, they are made to board transport as early as possible. The Supreme Court also directed all State Governments to ensure that all migrant workers found walking on the roads are immediately taken to shelters and provided food and all other facilities. Details regarding the number of migrants awaiting transportation facilities, along with the plan for their travel and registration mechanism, should be provided by the Centre in its response to the top Court.
All responses are to be filed by June 5.   Scroll.in