Migrant labourers to be allowed to move within state during lockdown with conditions

The Centre on Sunday issued guidelines for movement of labourers within a state to facilitate partial resumption of select economic activities outside coronavirus hotspots from Monday, but ruled out any inter-state travel.

Issuing the order, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla made it clear that there will be no inter-state movement of workers during the lockdown, which has been extended till May 3.

The development came at a time migrant labourers stranded in places like Mumbai, Surat and Delhi making desperate attempts to go back to their native places despite the lockdown.

The order said that due to the spread of the novel coronavirus, workers employed in industry, agriculture, construction and other sectors have moved from their respective places of work and are housed in relief and shelter camps being run by state and UT governments.

Since additional activities, outside the containment zones, have been permitted in the consolidated revised guidelines with effect from April 20, these