A PIL by activists Harsh Mander & Anjali Bharadwaj for directions to Govt. to pay wages to migrant workers in the unorganised sector amid #lockdownindia is being heard by the SC.
@harsh_mander @AnjaliB_
@pbhushan1
#Covid_19

Bench and lawyers joins via videoconferencing.
CJI states that the affidavit on behalf of centre has been received only today morning.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan says he has not received it.
#Covid_19 #lockdown

Advocate Prashant Bhushan submits that more than 4 lakh migrant workers living in shelter homes.
"A mockery of social distancing" adds Bhushan.
#Covid_19 #lockdown

Bhushan: Our survey report says more than 40% of these workers did not try to migrate and are living in their own homes in the cities. They do not have money to buy even one day's meal.
@pbhushan1 #Covid_19

CJI: f they are being provided meals then why do they need money for meals?
Bhushan : They don't just need food in the shelter homes.. we need to give them money to send to their families back home.
@pbhushan1

CJI: We cannot say at this stage that they are not getting the food.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta: We are looking into what are the complaints recieved. The call centre set up. Home minister is monitoring the helpline daily.

CJI: They are saying that in some shelters the food is "unedible". That is not something the court can monitor.
#Covid_19india

CJI: We are not experts & dont intend to interfere without knowing what it is all about.
We do not plan to supplant the wisdom of the government with our wisdom. We will ask the government to create a helpline for complaints.
#Covid_19

CJI: There's a dispute on facts and on the best course to be adopted. How can you say the government is not doing anything when you have not seen the status report of the government?

Advocate Prashant Bhushan: Govt has issued two orders- to provide food in the shelters. And second that landlords should not charge rent. These orders cannot be implemented.
@pbhushan1

CJI: We cannot take a better policy decision at this stage. We don't want to interfere in government decisions for the next 10/15 days.
SG Tushar Mehta adds: Except vague assertions there is no fact in this PIL.

CJI to Advocate Prashant Bhushan: We will give you time to read the status report.
Bhushan: By Monday many people will die. The people who are registered with the government need to be given some money to send their families!
@pbhushan1 #Covid_19india

CJI: We will hear this matter on Monday. You go through the affidavit of the govt in the meantime.