New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said states/Union Territories have to conduct strict vigilance and supervision to ensure that benefits or beneficial schemes reach the migrant workers. It also said the police are supposed to deal with migrant issues in a humane manner.
A bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan, Sanjay Kishan Kaul and M.R. Shah noted that the responsibility of the states/UTs has to include strict vigilance and supervision as to whether those measures, schemes, benefits reach those to whom they are meant.
“We impress on states and Union Territories to streamline the vigilance and supervision of actions of their officers and staff and take appropriate action where required. We also have no doubt that most of the officers, staff of administration and police are discharging their duties with devotion and hard work, but the lapses have to be taken note of and remedial action taken”, said the bench.
The bench added that from the materials on record that police officers of states, paramilitary forces wherever deployed are doing commendable job, but some instances of excess with regard to migrant labourers are also there.
“The migrant labourers, who were forced to proceed to their native place, after cessation of their employment, are already suffering. The financial difficulty being with all the migrant labourers invariably, they have to be dealt with by the police and other authorities in a humane manner”, said the bench, insisting that the Director General of Police/police Commissioner may issue necessary directions.
The bench said the process of transportation by rail and road has to be completed by all states and Union Territories so that the next stage of attending the needs of migrant labourers is looked into i.e. source of employment and providing food and ration for them.
The top court also observed it has also been brought to its notice that various High Courts have also taken notice of cases of migrant labourers. “High Courts being constitutional courts are well within their jurisdiction to take cognizance of violation of fundamental rights of migrant workers and we have no doubt that those proceedings shall proceed after considering all aspects, including the response of the authorities”, added the bench.
