New Delhi, May 26 (IANS): The judiciary and the government had failed labourers, said the Congress, here on Tuesday, after the Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of miseries of migrant workers, stranded across the country due to the lockdown announced to contain Covid-19 spread.
Terming it one of the worst case of reverse migration, Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said the rights that couldn't be enforced on time were meaningless.
"With due respect, the Supreme Court taking cognizance of labourers' issue after more than 60 days of harsh living and over 80 deaths, is a case of 'justice delayed is justice denied'," he said.
The Supreme Court said the media reports had continuously been showing the unfortunate and miserable condition of migrant labourers, walking on foot and cycling long distances.
Issuing notice to the Centre and all states/Union Territories, an apex court Bench, comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan, S.K. Kaul and M.R. Shah, asked them to submit their responses looking into the urgency of the matter.
Stating that the petition will be taken up on Thursday, the Bench asked the Solicitor General to assist the court and bring to its notice all measures taken and to be taken by the Centre by the next date of hearing.
The Bench posted the hearing for May 28 and asked the Registry to serve a copy to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta as well states and UTs.
"Although the central and the state governments have taken measures, yet there have been inadequacies and certain lapses. We are of the view that effective concentrated efforts are required to redeem the situation," the Bench said.
The court took the cognizance after several petitions were filed, highlighting the plight of migrant workers during the Covid-19 crisis.
Stressing the need for a helping hand to the migrant labourers, the apex court said, "They (migrants) have also been complaining of not being provided food and water by the administration at places where they were stranded or in the way i.e. highways from which they proceeded on foot, cycles or other modes of transport."