Thread on Migrant Crisis - Government of India:
We are deeply anguished at the plight of Migrant crisis occuring in the country. Seeing migrants walking on foot to long distances and witnessing the loss of lives due to rail and road accidents. 1/n

Government is committed to providing all possible assistance to ensure welfare among migrants. Indian Railways had decided to
operate “Shramik Special” trains form
1st May 2020 to transport Migrants to their native states.
2/n

As on 20th May 2020, a total of 1773 trains have been operationalized from various states
with more than 23.5 lakh passengers reaching their home state. On 19 May, 2020 a record total of
205 Shramik trains have
been operationalized with more
than 2.5 lakh passengers. 3/n

As these are not regular trains, but special trains which run on the request of state government, there has been no provision to buy tickets for those trains. The central government paying 85% of the cost that is incurred per passenger and 15% of the cost borne by the states. 4/n

Instances of states charging fare from poor migrants have come into light. Centre deeply condemns and regrets this affliction to migrants, as respective state govts were to book trains by making payment as charged by the Indian Railways, and not charge the passengers. 5/n

Provisions are being made to reimburse the full amount paid by migrants as soon as possible. 6/n

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi released Rs. 3100 crores from #PMCaresFund to aid migrant workers with food security. Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda has requested BJP karyakartas to help migrant labourers by facilitating their transport from one district to their native states. 7/n

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Shri Narendra Modi on 20 May gave approval for allocation of foodgrains from Central Pool to approximately 8 crore migrants/stranded migrants of 5kg per person per month (May and June 2020) for two months free of cost. 8/n

It would entail an estimated subsidy of about Rs. 2982 crore. Including the intra state transportation charges at about Rs. 3109 crore. The allocation will ease the hardships faced by migrants due to economic disruption caused by COVID-19. 9/n

Ration cards have been made portable under 'One Nation One Ration Card' to all migrant workers to access their ration and enable migrant beneficiaries to access PDS from any fair price shop across the country. 10/n

Centre has released Rs. 21,753 crore - 35% of annual budget under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment scheme (MG-NREGAS) in the first 40 days of current financial year to alleviate the distress of migrant workers, under second tranche of fiscal stimulus announced by FM. 11/n

The government has completed the task of skill mapping of more than 15 lakh migrants who have returned to their states during lockdown and is preparing to provide employment based on skills to all migrant workers and ensure social security. 12/n

For the Shramik trains, only 2/3rd of the seats are filled to ensure social distancing. For safety and health security, the process of thermal screening and medical testing of migrants workers at their home states, is being followed rigorously. 13/n

The government has also asked State government to set 'Migration Commission' in a bid to create employment opportunities for migrants returning home from other states following the coronavirus lockdown. As well as provide insurance to their families. 14/n

The Ministry of Home Affairs has launched the National Migrant Information System (NMIS) in order to track the movement of migrant labourers amid the lockdown. And ease their movements towards their native place. 15/n

NMIS is based on existing National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)'s GIS portal. MHA has directed all states to upload data on NMIS dashboard for better coordination, monitoring intra-state movements and contact tracing. 16/n

The government will take stern action against any authority indulging in forced labour, violating labourers' fundamental Right against Exploitation or practising indictable acts with disregard to the labour laws. 17/n

As on 28 May 2020, 85 lakh free meals and about 1.25 crore free water bottles were provided to migrants travelling in Special Shramik trains which includes meals being prepared by Indian Railways’ PSU IRCTC and distributed by Zonal Railways. 18/n

As on May 28, 3736 “Shramik' special trains have been operationalised from various states across the country and around 50 lakh migrants have been transported to their native states. 19/n

The top five states where maximum trains terminated are Uttar Pradesh (1520 Trains), Bihar (1296 Trains), Jharkhand (167 Trains), Madhya Pradesh (121 Trains), Odisha (139 Trains) which originated from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar. 20/n