The Central government has said that it was not the Center that would bear the cost of the Shramik train ticket; rather the duty of the state governments. It was while giving statement before the Supreme Court that the Center maintained their stance. The affidavit, which was filed in the court, was the result of the confusion over who exactly has to pay for the migrant workers’ trip. Earlier, central government sources said that the states provide 85 per cent rate, and the rest is met by the central government. However, contrary to this, several other sources also quote that it was the central government that was carrying 85 per cent rate.
Now, the Central Government’s explanation came right after the issue of the Supreme Court accepting public interest litigation on the problems faced by migrant workers across the country during the Covid-19 lockdown, popped up. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the central government, informed the court that the rates of the special railway trains are either paid by the state or the railways.