Yesterday, On 26th November, The Supreme Court raised concerns about the ongoing distribution of free rations, emphasizing the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. While directing welfare measures for migrant workers, it questioned the sustainability of these schemes post-pandemic. The court seeks a balance between welfare initiatives and practical governance, with further hearings planned.
The Supreme Court directed all states to complete migrant laborer verification for ration cards within four weeks, warning of consequences for non-compliance. Only Bihar and Telangana completed 100% verification. The court also criticized delays in distributing rations and instructed the Centre to release food grains to compliant states. Previously, the court instructed ration card issuance within two months for registered laborers.
The Supreme Court mandated states and Union Territories to issue ration cards to 80 million e-Shram portal registered migrant workers to improve food security. Delays in ration card distribution due to e-KYC updates for 800 million existing holders were addressed. The bench emphasized urgency, setting the next hearing for July 16, and highlighted the exclusion of over 100 million workers from the Food Safety Act due to outdated census data.
