Supreme Court To Hear On Nov 15 Centre's Plea Against Implementation Of Delhi Govt's Doorstep Ration Delivery Scheme

The Supreme Court on Friday adjourned to Monday, November 15, the special leave petition filed by the Central Government against the September 27 order of the Delhi High Court which paved the way for the implementation of the Delhi Government's doorstep delivery of ration scheme.

A bench comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao and BR Gavai posted the matter to November 15 after being informed that the Delhi Government has filed a compilation of documents in the matter.

Though the Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta requested for a posting tomorrow, the bench said that it has certain other matters listed for hearing tomorrow. Senior Advocate Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the Delhi Government, said that the SLP is filed against an interim order and that the main matter is pending before the High Court.

A bench comprising Justice(s) Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh clarified that it was only after this exercise that such fair price shop holders need not be supplied the rations.

"The GNCTD shall first issue communications to each of the fair price shop holders, informing them of the particulars of the ration card holders, who have opted to receive their rations at their door steps and, only thereafter, the rations, to the extent that they are being supplied to such optees, need not be supplied to the fair price shop holders," the Court said.

The development had come after the Bench modified its earlier order dated March 22, 2021 wherein it had directed the Delhi Government not to stop or curtail the supply of food grains or flour to the members of the Delhi Sarkari Ration Dealers Sangh, Delhi.

The Court had also taken on record the statement made by Delhi Government that the beneficiaries under the PDS scheme, opting for delivery of rations at their door steps, would have the option to once again opt out and go back to the fair price shops for collection of their rations at any time.

"The GNCTD should publicize, for the benefit of the beneficiaries under the PDS scheme, the essential terms and conditions of this order," the Court added.

The Central Government is objecting to the Delhi Government's scheme saying that it cannot be implemented without amending the National Food Security Act.

Case Title: UNION OF INDIA Versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI AND ORS.| SLP (C) 17905/2021 and DELHI SARKARI RATION DEALERS SANGH-DELHI (DSRDS-DELHI) Versus THE COMMISSIONER, FOOD AND SUPPLIES AND ORS.| SLP(C) No. 17123/2021

Click Here To Read The Order