Indian Migrant Workers during the COVID- 19 Pandemic: Perspectives and Policy Responses of the State

Abstract

The government is the most important component that determines the smooth and effective functioning of a country and have the authority to govern and a strong binding force among all the agencies or institutions to integrate their efforts in the best possible way. The world is battling the most difficult times in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic. India, the second-largest country in the world is facing double disadvantage of large population and a majority of the people living in deplorable conditions with little or no access to essential services like food, shelter and healthcare. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected this section of the population in the worst manner. India is a welfare state in principle and practice, so it becomes the responsibility of the state to administer policies for the welfare of the people. The pandemic has made the government even more responsible for formulating and implementing policies and schemes that could help the weaker sections of the society in the fight against the pandemic. However, all policies fell short and made little difference to their condition. The paper aims to highlight the condition of migrant workers during the pandemic in India, capture the challenges faced by migrant workers from Bihar who were stranded in Rajasthan and the response of the central and state governments in assisting the returnee migrant workers.