More on Covid-19

NEW DELHI: Stating that movement of large number of migrants in some parts of the country to reach their hometowns was a violation of the lockdown measures on maintaining social distance, the home ministry on Sunday directed that all such migrants on the move be accommodated in the nearest shelter by the respective states and Union territory authorities while all district and state borders are effectively sealed.In a fresh order issued by the Union Home Secretary on Sunday under Section 10(2)(l) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the states and UTs were told to ensure proper screening of migrant people on the move, for COVID-19 and keep them in government quarantine facilities for a minimum 14 days as per standard health protocol.As per the order, which entails punitive action if violated by any person or anyone in authority, states and UT governments shall ensure adequate arrangements of temporary shelters and provision of food etc for the poor and needy people, including migrant labourers stranded due to the lockdown measures in their respective areas.“Whereas, to deal with the situation and for effective implementation of the lockdown measures, and to mitigate the economic hardship of the migrant workers , in exercise of its powers (under Section 10(2)(I) of The Disaster Management Act), the undersigned, in the capacity as chairperson, National Executive Committee hereby directs states/Union territory authorities to take necessary action and to issue necessary orders to their district magistrate/deputy commissioner and senior superintendent of police/superintendent of police/deputy commissioner of police to take the following additional measures,” the Home Secretary stated in the order.States/UT governments have been directed to ensure that there is no movement of people across cities state or along highways. Instead, they have been asked to make adequate arrangements of temporary shelters and provision of food etc for the poor and needy people, including migrant labourers in their respective areas, apart from government quarantine facilities after their proper screening, for a minimum period of 14 days as per standard health protocol.The states have been told to ensure that all employers, be it in the industry or in shops or commercial establishments, shall make payment of wages to their workers, at their work place, on the due date and without any deduction, for the period their establishments are under closure during the lockdown.Besides, wherever the workers, including the migrants, are living in rented accommodation, the landlords of such properties shall not demand payment of rent for a period of one month. Where any landlord forces labourers or students to vacate his premises, the state police have been told to make him liable under the Disaster Management Act.“It is further indicated that in case of violation of any of the above measures, the respective state/UT government shall take necessary action under the Act ... The district magistrate/deputy commissioner and senior superintendent of police/superintendent of police/deputy commissioner of police will be personally liable for implementing the aforesaid directions and lockdown measures, the Home Secretary said in the order.