Kerala HC directed the Central Government to file a statement giving specific details of the financial and medical assistance granted through embassies to Indians stranded in Gulf nations amid the COVID-19 situation.
A bench comprising of Justices Devan Ramachandran and T R Ravi have also asked Kerala government for information regarding number of health workers and the details of quarantine facilities available with the possible return of Keralites from Gulf Cooperation Council nations.
The bench also heard four petitions regarding directions for the repatriation of Keralites from the gulf countries.
Advocate Harees Beeran stressed on the fact that United Arab Emirates has issued a general advisory to all countries to take back their citizens. Emirates Airlines has expressed its readiness to operate special flights to India and urged that the Centre should adopt a ‘state-specific’ policy on the repatriation of Indians.
The counsel highlighted the readiness expressed by the Kerala Government to accommodate about 2 lakh foreign returnees and also the dwindling numbers of COVID-19 cases in Kerala and said
The petition also urged for directions for relief for specific categories of persons such as those who had gone in search of jobs for few days, people needing emergency treatment, pregnant women and those in labour camps without jobs.
Suvin Menon, counsel on behalf of government responded that repatriation of Indians from abroad is not possible at the present time and said:
“The effect of lockdown will be diluted if Indians from abroad are allowed to return now”.
In response, Justice Devan Ramachandran added “When country is under lockdown, situation is different”.
The bench then sought to know about the level of preparedness of state government in dealing with the foreign returnees, upon which the Additional Advocate General undertook to file a statement. The bench also sought specific information from the Centre regarding the extent of relief and aid granted through Indian missions abroad.
“All of us are together here for a solution. But the solution has to be practicable”, Justice Devan added.
The case will be next heard on April 24.
