New Delhi: In a relief to stranded migrant labourers, the government, here on Sunday, allowed their movement from shelter homes to workplaces, like manufacturing units and farms, from Monday.
But movement will not be allowed “outside the state or union territory from where they are currently located”, according to a fresh Home Ministry Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
The SOP, issued by the Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Sunday, will apply in districts declared non-COVID-19 containment zones.It will help labourers to be engaged in industrial, manufacturing, construction, farming and MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) works.
States and union territories have been asked to get registered details of labourers residing in relief camps for skill mapping before their movement to different work places.“In the event, that a group of migrants wish to return to their places of work, within the state where they are presently located, they would be screened and those who are asymptomatic would be transported to their respective places of work,” the SOP read.
During the transportation, it will be ensured that social distancing norms are followed and vehicles used are sanitised as per the guidelines. The local authorities will also have to provide food and water during their (migrant labourers) journey.
“The national directives for the coronavirus management, issued under the consolidated revised guidelines dated April 15, shall be strictly followed,” it said.
As per the consolidated guidelines, the engagement of migrant labourers in industries and other units was included in the additional new activities list outside the containment zones and these are to be implemented from Monday.
The guidelines were issued after Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the 21-day nationwide lockdown for another 19 days till May 3. (IANS)
