Thread by @utkarsh_aanand

#SupremeCourt commences hearing of its suo motu proceedings on ameliorating the conditions of migrant workers during the #COVID19 induced #lockdown.

It expresses displeasure at Centre not submitting its affidavit in time.

"You were directed to file your affidavit a day before the hearing but you have done it just now. Our orders are meant to be compiled with," SC tells Centre.

Adv Prashant Bhushan, appearing on behalf of some activists, addresses the shortcomings in replies filed by states.

SC clarifies it hasn't directed states to grant cash transfer in lieu of dry ration after Bhushan mentions that court also wanted to know about cash transfers.

As he talks about cooked food, SC observes the situation doesn't appear to be as grave as last year for migrant workers

Bhushan points out migrant workers aren't only construction workers but rickshaw pullers, small vendors & street hawkers are also in the same category. He adds cash transfer is a must to provide succour to them. 2.8 Cr given dry ration last year should be given cash, he says.

SC agrees with Bhushan that process of registering migrant workers is very slow & that it isn't satisfied with Centre & states on registration of migrant workers on a portal that was to be created under its orders last year.

Justice Bhushan stresses on registration of all unorganised workers so that benefits of schemes could be extended to them.

Bhushan replies self-registration of #migrantworkers should happen.

SC says registration by states as well as self-registration should take place.

SC tells SG Tushar Mehta that it is going to issue directions to register #migrantworkers since it is the first step in ensuring they can avail of benefits under various scheme. It adds the court has already emphasised on its significance in its order last year.

SC: Our main concern is that benefits meant for #migrantworkers must reach them. We have taken a cursory look at your affidavit but there is nothing about registration of #migrantworkers in it. We want to know when will this get completed.

SC tells #Gujarat Govt that it should consider cancelling licenses of contractors & employers who drag their feet on registering #migrantworkers.

It also underscores the need to have a mechanism of supervision to ascertain whether schemes are reaching to #migrantworkers.

SG Tushar Mehta agrees with the #SupremeCourt that identification & registration of #migrantworkers is necessary so that like in other schemes, money can be directly transferred in these accounts, besides other benefits. He says the Centre & states should place in record details.

#SupremeCourt says it will want a better affidavit from the Centre & Min if Labour should apprise of the steps taken to register #migrantworkers. It will also certain directions in this regard.

#SupremeCourt states it is inclined to extend its directives on dry ration, community kitchen & transportation facilities to all states & not confine it to #DelhiNCR.

"Every state should do it," says SC, adding despite difference in nature of #lockdown, #migrantworkers need help

#SupremeCourt will release its interim order in the evening today on #migrantworkers.