In view of the migrant workers' crisis, a Supreme Court order had also directed states to run community kitchens and distribute dry rations. The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) through Minister Bhupender Yadav told the Lok Sabha yesterday that registrations on the new, Supreme Court-directed National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW) are expected to start in August 2021. Yadav's statements were tabled in response to a question raised by MP Kodikunnil Suresh during yesterday's Lok Sabha session. Why it matters? The Supreme Court in its judgement on the petition filed by the Bandhua Mokti Morcha about the problems and miseries of migrant workers had said that the central government needs to set up a National Database of Unorganised Workers. It had also said that the completion of the portal and registration on the same needs to start by July 31, 2021 so that migrant workers can avail benefits of the welfare measures implemented for them in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. In its judgement, the court had also referred to a 2018 order passed by the apex court directing the MoLE to start such an NDUW which would induct 10% of estimated workers every month. In a press release on May 5, the MoLE had said that “Section 142 of the Social Security Code, 2020 has been notified by Ministry of Labour & Employment covering applicability of Aadhar" which will "enable Ministry of Labour and Employment to collect Aaadhar details for the database of beneficiaries under various social…
