Supreme Court: The Supreme Court sought information on the number of migrant workers provided food under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and other benefits under various government schemes. The Supreme Court has given instructions in this regard to the Central and all the State Governments on Tuesday. The court was told that at present there are about 38 lakh migrant workers across the country, out of which 28 crore are registered on the Centre’s online portal e-Shram.
A bench of Justice MR Shah and Justice BV Nagaratna said, “Mere registration is not enough”. Along with this, the Center and the concerned states were asked to furnish information about how many of the 28.55 crore migrant or unorganized workers registered on the e-labor portal have ration cards and get benefits under NFSA.
Hearing started during Corona
The court had started hearing a petition during Kovid-19 to consider the problems of migrant laborers and workers in the unorganized sector. Due to the lockdown during the Corona epidemic, a large number of migrant laborers were forced to return to their homes, as they had no means of employment. Taking cognizance of the matter on its own, the Supreme Court started the hearing.
During the hearing on Tuesday, the court, giving the next date on February 20, directed all the states to be present on the next date. The Supreme Court also said that this instruction has been given not to find fault with the government, but to ensure that public welfare schemes reach their beneficiaries.
Data being updated – Center
On behalf of the Center, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Fati told the Supreme Court that the e-labour data is being updated. Regarding the roll out of central schemes, Bhati said that it has to be implemented by the respective states.
On this, the bench said that these are not rich people. They should be provided with food and health security. Center and States to ensure the scheme is facilitated at the doorsteps of the beneficiaries.
In June 2021, the Supreme Court had issued instructions to the states to provide ration, community kitchens. The court was even directed to expedite the implementation of the Centre’s One Nation One Ration Card scheme.
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