HARI SINGH RAJPUROHIT Vs. STATE OF RAJASTHAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In the wake of spread of COVID-19 pandemic throughout the country, this petition is filed by the petitioner a resident of Village Palasiya Khurd, District-Jalore, presently residing at Dahisar, Mumbai, espousing the cause of migrant workers who are forced to move from their working places in different States to their native places in the State of Rajasthan.

(2.) The petitioner has prayed for directions to the respondents to ensure safe return of migrant workers from different States to their native places in the State of Rajasthan. The directions are also sought to provide transportation, food and other facilities to the migrant workers, who while traveling on foot have already reached the border of State of Rajasthan. It is prayed that all the migrant workers, who have already got themselves registered on the portal of State of Rajasthan should be permitted to enter the State without insisting upon the requirement of 'Pass' issued by the District Magistrate or any other government official. That apart, it is prayed that the ration should be provided to the migrant workers in the State where they are presently settled.

(3.) Precisely, the case set out by the petitioner is that 14 lacs migrant workers have got themselves registered on the portal of State of Rajasthan, however, no facility for their transportation have been made by the State of Rajasthan and the workers, who have already reached the border are not permitted to enter into the State of Rajasthan without pass/permission being issued by the District Magistrate of the District of which they claim to be permanent residents. The persons, who have reached the border of State of Rajasthan through the vehicles hired by them are not permitted to enter into the State of Rajasthan unless they have valid permit for transportation issued by the Originating State i.e. the State where on account of the employment they are presently staying. Similarly, no workers, who have travelled such a long distance on foot and reached the border of State of Rajasthan are permitted to enter in the State and there is no facility provided for their stay and food at the border. According to the petitioner, the border of the State has been sealed and nobody is permitted to enter into the State of Rajasthan.