Ministry of Home Affairs allows labourers to work within state after screening

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday (April 18) said that there shall be no movement of labour outside the State or the Union Territory where they are currently located. However, stranded labourers will be allowed to go to places of work within the state with conditions during the lockdown.

"The Home Minister held a review meeting regarding lockdown measures. Relaxations are being provided at some places and labourers will get employment opportunities. This will also gain momentum in industry and agricultural activity," said Punya Salila Srivastava, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, here on Sunday.

"It was decided in the meeting that preventive measures should be taken in the areas which are not declared as hotspots, clusters and containment zone. In such areas, some activities are allowed. The district administration should be responsible for the movement of labours within these areas. Stranded labourers allowed to go to places of work within the State with conditions during the lockdown. The situation is dynamic. It is reviewed on a daily basis," she added. 

"In continuation of Ministry of Home Affairs` earlier Orders dated March 29, 2020, April 15, 2020, and April 16, 2020, a Standard Operating Protocol (SOP), for movement of stranded labour within the State/UTs has been issued to Ministries/Departments of Government of India, State/Union Territory Governments and State/ Union Territory Authorities, with the directions for its strict implementation," the MHA said. 

"In order to facilitate their movement within the State/UT, the following guidelines may be followed. The migrant labourers currently residing in relief/shelter camps in States/UTs should be registered with the concerned local Authority and their skill mapping be carried out to find out their suitability for various kinds of works," the Ministry said.

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 MHA said adding there shall be no movement of labour outside the State/UT where they are currently located.

It further added that during the journey by bus, it would be ensured that safe social distancing norms are followed and the buses used for transport are sanitised as per the guidelines of the health authorities. "The local authorities shall also provide for food and water, etc., for the duration of their journey," it said.

Earlier today, Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla wrote to all Chief Secretaries of States and Union Territories regarding e-commerce companies excluded from supplying non-essential goods. However, they will continue to supply essential goods.