Bhubaneswar: Citing that there are opposition and criticism in certain quarters over the decision to allow migrants to return to state amid rising COVID19 infections, State government spokesperson, Subroto Bagchi today stated that apart from our moral obligation from a humanity standpoint, every migrant has a right to return home from a legal standpoint as well.
Briefing mediapersons, Bagchi said internal migration flow is a nationwide phenomenon and there are nearly 20 crore internal migrants in India. While 12.7 lakh Odias are working in other states, nearly 8.60 lakh people have come to Odisha for employment. Most of the migrant population within the country are engaged in the unorganised sector, he said.
The COVID-19 spokesperson further said, "People can't stay outside for an indefinite period. All of them have a legal right to return home. Before situation worsens in June and infection rate goes very high, migrants should return back to their homes."
Meanwhile, as many as five different trains carrying migrants from outside states are scheduled to arrive in Odisha. While 3 trains carrying stranded Odias will be arriving from Gujarat, one each will arrive from Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
As per East Coast Railway sources, four of the five trains will reach Odisha by tomorrow while the fifth one will reach the destination on Monday.
It may be noted that Odisha government launched Subha Yatra initiative to bring back Odia people stranded in other States of India amid lockdown in special Shramik trains.
Meanwhile, the total number of COVID-19 positive cases in Odisha has increased to 294 with Ganjam district recording highest 89 cases.