The Supreme Court Today (Oct 4) took a serious view of delays noticed in the grant of ration cards to eligible migrant workers. A Bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah gave a final opportunity to the Central government as well as the governments of States and Union Territories (UTs) to take necessary steps by November 19. The Court warned that it may summon the secretaries of defaulting States for contempt of court if the needful is not done.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India expressed deep concern over the delays in issuing ration cards to eligible migrant workers. The Bench, led by Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, emphasized that both the Central government and the governments of States and Union Territories (UTs) must take immediate action, giving them a final deadline of November 19 to address the issue.
In a stern warning, the Court indicated that it would summon the secretaries of States that fail to comply with its orders for contempt of court. Justice Amanullah, voicing the Court’s frustration, remarked,
“We have lost our patience, we are making it very clear that there will be no more indulgence.”
The case under consideration is a suo motu matter concerning the welfare of migrant workers, which originated during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Today’s hearing highlighted concerns raised by intervenors, who argued that the Union government has yet to fully comply with a crucial directive from a June 2021 judgment.
In the 2021 ruling, the Supreme Court had directed the government to ensure that migrant workers, eligible under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), receive ration cards. The Court specifically emphasized that migrant workers registered on the e-Shram portal, a centralized database for unorganized workers, should be issued these ration cards.
The Bench, questioning the current status of compliance, pointed out,
“We had made it clear that those remaining 8 crore ration cards based on those registered on the e-Shram portal have to be issued. Is it done? Then we can proceed further.”
In response, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Central government, explained that the process is ongoing, stating,
“States will have to respond and comply. It is a dynamic process.”
She also clarified that under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), which provides ration distribution to the poorest households, only one ration card is issued per priority household. The government argued that the non-issuance of additional ration cards to other family members should not be viewed as contempt of the Court’s orders.
The Bench acknowledged that this argument appeared to have some merit, at least prima facie.
Despite this, Justice Amanullah firmly warned that migrant workers who are eligible must receive their ration cards without delay, remarking,
“Is this the seriousness of the Union? This is about the poorest of the poor. If there is leakage accruing, why cannot the Cabinet Secretary hold meetings? Because it is not important to them?”
His remarks underscored the gravity of the situation and the Court’s impatience with the slow progress.
The case is scheduled to be heard again on November 19, with the Court expecting significant updates. Earlier this year, in a March 19 order, the Supreme Court had directed the States and UTs to complete the issuance of ration cards to migrant workers within two months.
That directive came after the Court noted that a previous order issued a year prior had not yet been fully implemented.
The Supreme Court’s firm stance in this matter reflects its commitment to ensuring that the most vulnerable sections of society, particularly migrant workers, are not left out of crucial welfare programs. The onus is now on the governments involved to meet the Court’s expectations and avoid potential contempt proceedings.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Ration Cards
FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES
