The Supreme Court is hearing a PIL seeking directions to the Government for payment of wages to migrant workers belonging to the unorganised sector amid the #lockdown.
The petition has been filed by Activists @harsh_mander & @AnjaliB_
Adv. Prashant Bhushan appears
@pbhushan1

Bhushan going over the status Report filed by the Union as directed by the SC on the last date.
"There are about 15 lakh migrant labourers. They are given food and shelter, as per the govt, but if they are crowding at shelters to get food how will Government ensure safety?"

Bench asks the Solicitor General to respond to Bhushan's submissions,
"What steps are taking for these migrant labourers what are the minimum wages given ? How you are taking care of these migrant labourers"

"What steps are being taken to pay some wages to the private workers and migrant workers?? Delhi govt has announced 5000 rupees. But what is the Centre doing?"
Bench asks the Solicitor General

SG Tushar Mehta: Mr. Bhushan is wrong in saying ration is low. The food distribution is 5 kg ration per person and not per ration card.

"Whether there is any move on the Central government, apart from providing food to these migrant labourers?"
- Justice L N Rao inquires from the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta
#COVID2019
#Covid_19

Justice LN Rao to the Solicitor General: "We have seen your affidavit & appreciate the way food, shelter etc is being provided. But are you thinking about giving them some income?"
#COVID2019

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assures the bench that the Government has first looked into the issues which are most relevant.
"We have done what was priority. We have taken immediate steps first", Mehta.
#COVID2019
#lockdown

CJI: "Is there any chance of reopening of industries soon?"

Solicitor General now showing report on amount of money transferred to people's accounts via "direct benefit transfer".

CJI says the bench does not have those pages.
"Circulate it. We'll have it on April 20"

Bhushan opposes posting the matter to next Monday.
Justice L N Rao : "Mr Bhushan what you are saying , we can't direct to do it, there are four crore people involved"
@pbhushan1
#COVID2019

Advocate Prashant Bhushan - These people are in bad state. 4 crore people are in distress. Look at #Germany, #Italy, #France! They have announced aid packages to the poor people. Why isn't the Indian government doing this?
#COVID2019

Justice Rao to Adv. Prashant Bhushan while hearing a plea seeking directions to the Government for payment of wages to Migrant workers:
"If we have to pass all the directions that are there in your Petition we will have to start running the government!"
@pbhushan1
#COVID2019