CHANDIGARH, May 24:
Asserting that it was his Government’s duty to ensure that all migrants keen to go back home return to their native states safely, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Sunday directed the Deputy Commissioners and District Police Chiefs to ensure that no migrant is forced to walk home to any other state in the country, or to remain hungry while in Punjab.
Any migrant found walking on the road should be transported by bus by the police to the nearest place from where he can board a train or bus to his native State, the Chief Minister directed the DCs and the police officials, even as the 300th Special Shramik Train left the state carrying migrants to Uttar Pradesh.
Till they leave Punjab, they should be provided food and water, he has directed the officers. Urging the migrants not to panic, the Chief Minister assured that the state government would make sure that every single migrant who is keen to return home is assisted by the State, with arrangements for their free travel and food. Underlining the state’s commitment to “look after every person in distress”, Capt Amarinder described the migrants as “our fellow Indians who contribute to the State and its economy”.
“Punjab is your karma-bhoomi, even if it is not your janam- bhoomi,” said the Chief Minister to the migrants, appealing to them not to try to undertake arduous journey by foot to their native place as the State Government is making all necessary arrangements for their travel by trains or buses.
He said more than 10 lakh people have registered on the State portal for outbound movement from Punjab. The State Government has undertaken a massive validation exercise of all registered people by making individual phone calls to re-ascertain whether or not they are keen to return to their native States.
“This is being done in view of the fact that, in the past 3-4 days, around two-thirds of the industrial units in the State have commenced operations after the easing of restrictions, following which the number of persons keen to travel out of Punjab has reduced considerably,” he said, terming it a welcome sign. (UNI)
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