Managing India's migrant crisis due to Coronavirus Lockdown
I should've written this article one week ago. The chaos of migrant crisis of poor & daily wage labors exodus from urban cities to their rural villages is happening in full swing in India. The Social distancing preached by Prime minister is thrown out of the window. But the situation can be even worse, there could be massive stampedes and food riots as hundreds of thousands of people are marching on roads without money and food to reach their homes. Their homes is hundreds of miles away. These are some of the things Govt should do immediately.
And Prime Minister & Chief ministers of all states and UTs should announce these measures immediately on national TV and Radio.
1. Govt will provide FREE transport of Buses and Trains to people who want to return to their villages and up to the last mile connectivity. This transport facilities will be provided orderly and quickly to all people. And 500 Rs and 1000 Rs Travel allowance will additionally be given to individuals and families respectively. This money can be credited to their Aadhar bank account and can be withdrawn from any ATM / portable ATM or local bank branch.
2. Every state should prepare for orderly district wise transportation of migrants to avoid chaos and stampede situation. For example, here in Delhi, Govt should plan logistically to transport East, west, South, North and Central districts by allotting specific days and time table and providing public transport DTC buses for migrants. All these bus services will be free.
3. Special Railway services should be started to transport migrants across India for next 10 days. Railway services should be planned in coordination with Govt time table of orderly transportation of migrants. All Train travel will be free for 10 days to migrants.
4. Adequate security arrangements like strong presence of CRPF and Police personnel should be made to avoid any stampede situation and public disorder.
5. Food and beverages should be provided to migrants along travel routes in Buses and Railways free of cost.
6. To avoid people rushing to exit cities and states. Govt should announce at least one month moratorium/relaxation on home rents. This will give some cushion to poor families and people who have ran of their money due to job losses.
7. This exercise should be completed in 10 days under proper oversight and planning to minimize disruption and social disorder.
There is no time and resources for health scanning of these massive amount of people. So health warnings have to be relaxed for this exercise to some degree. These migrants without any money, shelter & food will be at greater health risk in cities to themselves as well as other people. In villages, these workers can be employed in farming where they will have better means for food security. Hence, the best practical approach is sending these migrants back to their villages in an orderly way by giving them free travel and food.
And Prime Minister & Chief ministers of all states and UTs should announce these measures immediately on national TV and Radio.
1. Govt will provide FREE transport of Buses and Trains to people who want to return to their villages and up to the last mile connectivity. This transport facilities will be provided orderly and quickly to all people. And 500 Rs and 1000 Rs Travel allowance will additionally be given to individuals and families respectively. This money can be credited to their Aadhar bank account and can be withdrawn from any ATM / portable ATM or local bank branch.
2. Every state should prepare for orderly district wise transportation of migrants to avoid chaos and stampede situation. For example, here in Delhi, Govt should plan logistically to transport East, west, South, North and Central districts by allotting specific days and time table and providing public transport DTC buses for migrants. All these bus services will be free.
3. Special Railway services should be started to transport migrants across India for next 10 days. Railway services should be planned in coordination with Govt time table of orderly transportation of migrants. All Train travel will be free for 10 days to migrants.
4. Adequate security arrangements like strong presence of CRPF and Police personnel should be made to avoid any stampede situation and public disorder.
5. Food and beverages should be provided to migrants along travel routes in Buses and Railways free of cost.
6. To avoid people rushing to exit cities and states. Govt should announce at least one month moratorium/relaxation on home rents. This will give some cushion to poor families and people who have ran of their money due to job losses.
7. This exercise should be completed in 10 days under proper oversight and planning to minimize disruption and social disorder.
There is no time and resources for health scanning of these massive amount of people. So health warnings have to be relaxed for this exercise to some degree. These migrants without any money, shelter & food will be at greater health risk in cities to themselves as well as other people. In villages, these workers can be employed in farming where they will have better means for food security. Hence, the best practical approach is sending these migrants back to their villages in an orderly way by giving them free travel and food.
excellent
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