[Coronavirus Lockdown] Rajasthan HC issues notice in PIL seeking immediate measures for rehabilitation, food for daily wage/migrant workers

The Rajasthan High Court today issued notice to the State Government in a plea seeking concrete steps for the welfare of the daily wage workers and labourers moving across the territorial borders of Rajasthan, during the national lockdown in place to curb the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)..The Division Bench comprising of Justice G R Moolchandani and Justice Narendra Singh Dhaddha observed that there were several reports indicating that the Government has taken steps to take care of such migrant workers. .All the same, such migrants were obviously under fear and panic, which is unwarranted, the Court noted.Therefore, it has directed the State to file an affidavit on the present status on the issue..The order was passed after a letter was moved by Advocates James Bedi and Sommya Chaturvedihad, addressed to the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court Indrajit Mahanty. This letter was converted into a PIL and heard via videoconferencing on Tuesday..The letter had stated that the daily wage workers and labourers were moving in harsh conditions on foot, without any assistance and facility by the authorities amid the Coronavirus lockdown. Their movement and the inaction by the authorities might have lead to loss of many lives and spread of the disease, the letter added..The matter will be next heard on April 7. .Similar instructions were issued today by the Kerala High Court as well. Earlier, the Orissa High Court had issued directions to the State Government to take care of migrant workers within the state. .The Supreme Court is also presently dealing with pleas seeking directions to the Centre to take appropriate steps to alleviate the trouble faced by migrant workers in the midst of the nationwide Coronavirus lockdown..[Read Rajasthan HC order here]