[COVID-19 Migrant Crisis case] Supreme Court reserves judgment, questions Centre on delay in making National Database for Unorganised Workers

The Supreme Court on Friday questioned the Central government as to why the National Database of Unorganised Workers was not ready despite its orders calling for the preparation of the same..At the end of the hearing, the Bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and MR Shah reserved its judgment in the suo motu case concerning the COVID-19 migrant crisis. .Noting that about Rs 417 crore had been disbursed for the making of the Database, the Court expressed displeasure at the snail's pace adopted by the Centre.."What is your project for National Database of Unorganised Workers? 417 crore has been released but not even a module is created. How much time will you take? Process has not even started," said the Court..Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that the National Informatics Centre (NIC) has taken over the project and that it would take another three to four months to form the Database. In response, the Bench stated that it should take a shorter time since it is just a module, and that states need not be consulted at this stage. .However, Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves urged the Bench to reject the "excuse" by Centre since "three years have passed and nothing has been done.""Please don't accept the excuse. Every state has made a state-level portal. That's why states are saying there are workers but they cant be linked to the Central government portal," stated Gonsalves. Gonsalves also relied on an October 2018 order of the top court, in which it was recorded that the Centre submitted that the portal was ready and that states can begin uploading their data..The top court was also apprised that Gujarat had made a similar portal for migrant workers, and that the same was integrated on June 8. SG Mehta assured the Court that Centre will have a dialogue with the Gujarat government and see if the Gujarat model can be adopted. .The Court also clarified that its main concern was to ascertain whether the benefit of schemes can be made available to migrant workers who do not have ration cards. .Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the court that the Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Yojna was extended till November and that 80 crore people were identified as beneficiaries under it. However, the Court sought to know whether the benefit of the scheme can be reaped by migrants who don't have ration cards. .Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave argued that the Atmanirbhar Scheme should be extended and that the PM Garib Kalyan Yojna be also extended to migrant workers who do not possess ration cards."Majority of these migrant workers are not ration card holders. In May 13 order, it was noted despite last order of the top court there was no data still. Thus, taking 8 crore figure as sacrosanct either extend the Atmanirbhar scheme now or PM Garib Kayan be made available to them," submitted Dave. A.[COVID-19 Migrant Crisis] All states to provide dry ration to migrants; unorganised workers to be registered as early as possible: Supreme Court.After hearing the parties, the Bench went on to reserve its judgment..The Court had earlier directed the Central government to expeditiously complete work on the National Database for Unorganised Workers being compiled by the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment in collaboration with the states..[COVID-19 Migrant Crisis] All states to provide dry ration to migrants; unorganised workers to be registered as early as possible: Supreme Court.The applicants contended that even though States have been imposing decentralised COVID-19 curfews and lockdowns more cautiously this year, "they have offered little welfare support to working classes and migrants whose livelihoods are at sea once again.""This has triggered a second exodus of migrant workers who are flocking train and bus terminals in urban centres in a bid to get back home," the application stated..[Read an account of the hearing here]