It also asked states to bring in an appropriate scheme for distribution of dry ration to migrant labourers till COVID-19 pandemic lasts
The Supreme Court of India June 29, 2021 directed all states and Union territories (UT) to implement the ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ scheme for the benefit of migrant workers by July 31, 2021.
It also asked them to bring in an appropriate scheme for distribution of dry ration to migrant labourers till the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic lasts.
It also asked the central government to provide additional quantities of foodgrains as demanded by states and UTs for distribution to migrant labourers.
Recognising that workers in the unorganised sector were hit hard during the pandemic, the two-judge bench of Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice MR Shah asked the Centre to develop a portal in consultation with National Informatics Centre (NIC) for registration of the unorganised labourers / migrant workers under the National Database for Unorganised Workers.
The apex court once again questioned the delay in setting up the database proposed by the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment in March.
“The attitude of the Ministry of Labour and Employment in not completing the module shows that the ministry is not alive to the concern of the migrant workers and the non-action of the ministry is strongly disapproved,” legal news portal Live Law quoted the bench.
It said:
“When the unorganised workers are waiting for registration and are waiting to reap the benefit of various welfare schemes of the states and the Centre, the apathy and lackadaisical attitude by the (Union) Ministry of Labour and Employment is unpardonable”.
The bench made these remarks while hearing a suo moto case on the ‘problems and miseries of migrants’.
“We also impress upon and direct the central government and the respective states and UTs to complete the process of portal for registration under National Database for Unorganised Workers, as well as implement the same, which by all means may commence not later than 31.07.2021,” the order said.
It also directed that the process of registration of the unorganised labourers / migrant workers be completed at the earliest, but not later than December 31, 2021.
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