COVID-19 nodal officer appointed in Maldives Indian mission to help migrants: Centre to HC

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COVID-19 nodal officer appointed in Maldives Indian mission to help migrants: Centre to HC
Chennai, Apr 30 () The Centre on Thursday informed theMadras High Court that a Special Nodal officer has beenappointed at the Indian mission in Maldives to reach out toIndian migrants in the island nation for any help, includingmedical facilities, in view of the COVID-19 situation.

Justices M Sathyanarayanan and M Nirmal Kumar, beforewhom the submission was made by the Centre's counsel, directedthe government to file details about the appointment.

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The directive was given during the video conferencehearing of a PIL by an advocate from Kanyakumari districtwhich sought a direction for appointment of the nodal officerciting the plight of Indian migrants in Maldives.

After Centre's senior panel counsel Srinivasa Moorthyinformed that the officer had already been appointed, thebench directed him to file details and posted the matter forfurther hearing to May 12.

The petitioner who filed his plea based on a media reportand an online petition filed by Kanyakumari MP H Vasanthakumarsubmitted that around 29,000 Indian migrant workers, includingnurses, teachers, doctors, engineers and unskilled personnel,were in Maldives with around 22,000 in Male, the capital city.

Several of the Indians at Maldives have stated that therewere no sufficient quarantine and medical facilities inMaldives to treat the patients for COVID19 and posted pictureson social media about "unhygienic" conditions at a shelter. I further understand that the migrant workers are noteven having enough food as they could not access the bank orATMs in this lockdown situation, besides there are nohotels/restaurants opened to avail the food," the petitionersaid.

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Hence, he wanted a Special Nodal Officer for COVID-19 toenable the Indian migrants to reach out for any sort of help.

He also sought setting up of a free testing facility atthe Indian Mission at Male, hygienic quarantine accommodationand arrangements to airlift them. CORRVS VS
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