State/UTs should ensure migrant workers do not resort to walking on roads, rail tracks and use available special trains: Centre to states

NEW DELHI: Concerned over stranded migrant workers forced by circumstances to make an arduous journey back home, the home ministry on Monday asked all state and Union territory governments to ensure that they do not resort to walking on the road and railway tracks since their movement by buses and Shramik Special trains have already been allowed to enable their return to native places.
In a letter sent to all chief secretaries and UT administrators, the Home Secretary urged them to heed the request of the Cabinet secretary to cooperate with the railways in running of more number of 'Shramik' special trains so that travel of stranded migrant workers is facilitated at a faster rate.
Meanwhile, in a separate letter sent on Monday, the home secretary urged all state and UT governments to allow smooth movement of medical professionals, nurses, paramedics, sanitation personnel and ambulances, and ensure opening of all private clinics, nursing homes and labs with medical professionals and all staff. Such movement shall also be facilitated inter-state, wherever required, he added.
Both letters follow discussions between the Cabinet secretary and all chief secretaries via a video-conference on Sunday, where the movement of migrant labourers by buses and special trains was reviewed. The meeting also discussed the movement of medical professionals and para-medical personnel.
In the letter on migrant workers, the home secretary pointed out that the situation of migrant workers walking on the road and on railway tracks was noted “with great concern” at Sunday’s video conference.
“Since their movement by buses and 'Shramik' special trains have already been allowed to enable their travel to native places, all State/ UT Governments should ensure that migrant workers do not resort to walking on the road and on railway tracks. In case they are found in such condition, they should appropriately be counselled, taken to nearby shelters and provided with food, water etc. Till such time they are facilitated to board the 'Shramik' special trains or buses to their native places,” stated the home secretary.
He urges upon the states/UTs to allow receiving of all Shramik special trains without any hindrance and facilitate faster movement of stranded migrant workers to their native places.
In his communication to the states on the movement of medical as para-medical personnel, the Home Secretary said their services are urgently required in meeting the challenge of Covid-19 pandemic. “Furthermore, the existing staff, apart from this duty, also have to render normal responsibilities, such as conducting immunization programmes, handling the onset of vector and other seasonal diseases, and meeting other non-covid emergencies etc.
“In this scenario, as pointed out by the Cabinet Secretary, any restrictions on the movement of medical professionals and paramedical staff can lead to severe constraints in rendering COVID and non-COVID medical services. As such, ensuring unhindered movement of all such medical professionals is essential for meeting public health requirements and saving precious human lives,” stated the home secretary .
Noting that private clinics and nursing homes at many places were reported to have not been allowed to open, the home ministry letter urged all States and UTs to ensure that such clinics and nursing homes continue to function without any hindrances.
The home secretary noted that the functioning of these medical facilities, which supplement the regular medical infrastructure, and relieve the burden on hospitals, was crucial.
“I would like to emphasize that all state/ UT governments should ensure that their field officials allow smooth movement of all medical professionals, nurses, paramedical, sanitation personnel and ambulances, and ensure the opening Of all private clinics, nursing homes and labs with all their medical professional and staff. Such movement shall also be facilitated inter-State, wherever required,” the states were told.