Karnataka High Court Passes Orders To Ensure Food Security During Lockdown

A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Aravind Kumar said "The state government will have to decide on the implementation of the scheme proposed by it. We direct the state government to take immediate decision on the said proposal."

In its written submission the state government said "As per the scheme which was implemented during the first lockdown last year, there is a proposal to distributed 10 KG of Food Grains free to PHH Card applicants and 10 KG's at 15/- for NPHH Card applicants i.e. those who had applied but for whom ration card were yet to be issued. The same has been proposed to be implemented in the current lockdown. It is submitted that once approvals are received the same would be implemented forthwith. This would benefit 3,07,614 families of BPL Card applicants and 1,20,770 families of APL Card applicants."

Further on the issue of food security for the weaker section of the society during the lockdown, the state government stated that instructions have been given to all Urban Local Bodies to continue the functioning of Indira canteens following all covid norms and to make provision of breakfast, lunch and dinner free cost, in all urban local bodies, including BBMP.

Advocate General Prabhuling K Navadgi submitted "From tomorrow morning three meals cooked will be served at Indira Canteens for all those persons who are in need of food. As regards construction workers, directions have been issued to builders to supply food free of cost."

During the hearing the bench orally said "If you (state) are going to give cooked food then there has to be a well organised network of NGOs. They can be given responsibility for supply to those identified persons who are living away from the canteens."

Advocate Clifton Rozario appearing for one of the petitioners submitted that "In given the current situation, it will be advisable to provide one time ration kits than meals three times a day. The food kit should be sufficient for 21-days."

The court in its order said "Today the question is how people can approach Indira Canteens. BBMP counsel says that there are 202 canteens in the city. The Advocate General assures that not only in BBMP limits but all cities with help of NGOs arrangement will be made to ensure that cooked food is supplied."

Accordingly, it directed the state government to place on record the necessary decision taken in this regard on the next date of hearing. It observed "As a result of the lockdown, certain categories of people have stopped receiving income, especially those who are depending on daily wages. The object has to be that such people receive food during the lockdown. If the lockdown is extended, the state government should consider implementing the scheme adopted last year of providing dry ration kits."

The court also noted that in rural areas the state government has stated that the government through grama panchayats will ensure delivery of packed meals in each Gram Panchayat to the vulnerable households. How the vulnerable households will be identified and food will reach the household is mentioned. "Even as regards this arrangement the state government will have to ensure that food is provided to them if lockdown is extended beyond May 24, '' the court said.

The court also suggested the State government to consider re-starting the helpline which was initiated in the first lockdown last year, through which it could address the issue of failure to receive food by the needy. State to take decision on this behalf at the earliest.