Ensure Basic Facilities To Migrant Labours: Jammu and Kashmir HC [Read Order]

The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir took up various matters regarding the lockdown imposed in view of the Coronavirus outbreak. The hearing was conducted using video-conferencing and voice calls and was convened pursuant to the last Order of the Court dated 24th March, 2020. LEASE LINE CONNECTIONS FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE BOARDS AND OBSERVATION HOMES It was submitted by Ashok Kumar Srivastava, the Chief General Manager of BSNL that a financial estimate of Rs. 33.64 lakhs for provision of the lease line connections to 24 locations of Juvenile Justice Boards and Observation Homes had been submitted to ICPS as well as Social Welfare Department of J&K. Accordingly, the Court directed for the estimates to be scrutinized at the earliest by the authorities and the same to be informed to BSNL. AVAILABILITY OF NET FACILITIES TO COURT SITES The Court was informed by Registrar (IT) that the order of the court could not be effected due to lack of access to the courts. In light of the same, a Core Group has been constituted, comprising of representatives of NIC and BSNL, as well as the judges concerned. Assurance was provided that as soon as the functioning of the court would commence, the needful would done. BACKUP FACILITIES AND WATER CONNECTION FOR JJB AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS Amit Gupta, AAG informed the Court that backup facilities in the nature of inverters etc. were provided at the JJB, so that video conferencing could be conducted. He further submitted that water was being supplied by more than 200 tankers regularly and that all the institutions were being taken care of. PILGRIMS STRANDED AT VAISHNO DEVI Monika Kohli, the Amicus Curiae, submitted to the Court that due to the sudden lockdown, about 400 pilgrims were stranded at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, Katra, and that these pilgrims were being asked to vacate their current lodgings. The Court accordingly directed the CEO of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the Deputy Commissioner, Reasi to "ensure that these pilgrims are not asked to vacate their current lodgings and their needs are fully provided for till such time as the lockdown persists". The Central Government and the Government of UT of J&K were directed to ensure that their notifications/directions would not lead to dislodging of people from their habitations and that provisions or facilities are strictly complied with. MISBEHAVIOUR OF ISOLATED PERSONS Advocate Faisal Qadri submitted that doctors were apprehensive about their own security as persons who had been isolated at the two hospital facilities in Srinagar on account of being suspected/infected COVID-19 patients, were misbehaving and damaging facilities. The Court observed that: "There can be no manner of doubt that the safety and security of all health providers which would include not only doctors but also the nurses, the paramedics, mess boys, safai karamcharies as well as administrative staff at all government facilities has to be strictly ensured. Such care and protection has to be provided to all health care givers in all hospitals in the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh as well." Accordingly, the Court directed the Secretary, Department of Health and Medical Education of both the Union Territories together with the IGP, Jammu, IGP, Kashmir and IGP, Ladakh to ensure that complete safety and security is provided to the personnel who are serving at all government facilities. They also noted that if needed, security should also be beefed up to ensure that no person leaves the medical facility. The Court called for strict action to be taken against the persons found violating any instruction/order issued by the Central Government and the UT Government as well as provision of law, especially if the conduct would result in the spread of COVID-19 infection and endanger lives. SECURITY FOR MIGRANT LABOURERS Advocate Qadri also raised the issue with regard to the security and availability of basic facilities to the migrant labourers. To this, the Court directed both the UT Governments to ensure that keeping in view the movement restriction, the same is strictly enforced and that the accommodation, health, care and the needs of the migrant labourers, if not already provided for, are also addressed. PROVISIONS FOR PRISONERS Amit Gupta, the AAG submitted to the Court that an advisory had been issued by the DG, Prisons and that full medical and health facilities have been ensured to the prisoners. It was also submitted that there was a seclusion of the prisoners from exposure to the general public, and hence, the infection was being taken cared of. Additionally, every effort was being made to ensure the health and safety of the prisoners in Jammu and Kashmir. UNION TERRITORY OF LADAKH It was submitted by Vishal Sharma, ASGI, that all the necessary notifications and orders under the Epidemic Diseases Act and ...

Ensure Basic Facilities To Migrant Labours: Jammu and Kashmir HC [Read Order]

Radhika Roy

Tags