Counsel for the Maharashtra and Punjab governments knowledgeable the court docket that they observe the one nation one ration card scheme.
The Supreme Court on Friday requested the West Bengal government to immediately implement the ‘one nation one ration card’ scheme.
A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and M.R, Shah stated no excuse might be thought-about and the state should implement the scheme, because the state government counsel submitted that there are Aadhaar seeding points. The bench stated: “You cannot cite one or the other problem. This is for migrant workers.”
The high court docket was listening to the suo moto case addressing the issues and miseries of migrant staff amid the Covid pandemic. Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, showing for the petitioners, submitted that there have been practically 2.8 crore migrants with out ration playing cards, and they’re beneath severe issue as they might not be coated beneath the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana.
The bench famous that the scheme has been prolonged until November, however Dave stated the scheme will profit solely those that have ration playing cards.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta identified that 80 crore have been recognized beneath the Garib Kalyan scheme.
As the bench queried what scheme will cowl the individuals who haven’t got ration playing cards, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati replied that the latitude has been left to the states and it’s for the states to have schemes for many who don’t have ration playing cards.
The bench famous that the Centre is prepared to distribute meals grains, and it has to see what mechanism may be adopted. Dave, nonetheless, argued that the Centre is attempting to move the burden on states.
The bench stated that there are states that do not have such schemes, and might the Garib Kalyan scheme be briefly prolonged to additionally those that haven’t got the ration playing cards. To this, Mehta stated that the Centre’s officers can have talks with the Secreatries involved within the states and are available again after every week. “Nobody is leaving them to die. There are schemes to help them,” he stated.
ALSO READ: Delhi govt beneath management of ration mafia, alleges BJP
ALSO READ: Delhi government claims its doorstep supply of ration scheme stalled, Centre replies
During the listening to, counsel for the Maharashtra and Punjab governments knowledgeable the court docket that they observe the one nation one ration card scheme. At this stage, the West Bengal government counsel submitted that the state has not applied the scheme but and the bench stated that it has to implement it when the others have.
The high court docket requested the states to file quick response within the matter and reserved the judgment.
It additionally expressed dissatisfaction over the delay within the growth of software program by Centre for registration of unorganised staff. “You initiated it in August 2020, and it is still not over,” it stated, including that the Centre shouldn’t be conducting any survey however solely making a module in order that knowledge may be fed into the mechanism. Mehta replied that court docket’s considerations are proper, and he’ll take directions within the matter.
At this, the bench stated that this cannot be left to paperwork anymore. “Your officers have done nothing. Just because your directors etc don’t have time, this can’t be put on hold forever,” stated the bench pulling up the Centre.
Mehta requested the court docket not to move order on extension of the scheme, as it could have monetary ramifications. The bench responded that it understands the matter.
The high court docket was listening to an software by activists Harsh Mander, Anjali Bhardwaj, and Jagdeep Chhokar, looking for instructions to be certain that migrant staff aren’t disadvantaged of ration and meals safety, and they need to additionally give you the chance to journey again to their houses at nominal price.
