Fair Price Shops Will Continue To Exist In Doorstep Ration Delivery Scheme: Delhi Govt Tells High Court

The Delhi Government has informed the Delhi High Court that the fair price shops will continue to exist in its proposed Doorstep Ration Delivery Scheme.

"Beneficiaries who opt for doorstep delivery but miss the scheduled delivery or wish to collect the packages SFAs on their own will be able to collect it from the Circle level FPS set up by the Delhi Consumer's Cooperative Wholesale Store Ltd. (DCCWS). Beneficiaries who do not opt for home delivery will be able to collect their dry ration from the existing FPS. Therefore, it is a misconception that the GNCTD is seeking to do away with FPS," the Delhi Government has informed.

The submission assumes importance as yesterday, the Central Government had opposed the scheme by submitting that the State cannot mitigate the architecture of the National Food Security Act while implementing the same; ASG Aishwarya Bhati had termed fair price shops integral to the architecture of the NFSA.

It has been stated before the Court that the DCCWS will set up fair price shops across various districts in the city at the Circle level.

"Pursuant to conversion, cleaning and packaging, the packets of SFAs will be delivered by empanelled millers / packaging units at the FPS. DCCWS will also empanel Direct Home Delivery Agencies ("DHD Agencies") who shall deliver the packets to the home of the beneficiary," the affidavit adds.

The Delhi Government has also stated that there has been no violation of the provisions of National Food Security Act, 2013 while while implementing the said scheme.

"It is further submitted that the Petitioner is entirely mischievous contentions in respect of implementation of the Scheme. Indisputably, it has no vested right to insist on continuation of the present system for distribution of subsidised food grain. The Scheme can only be questioned for violation of constitutional and statutory norms which, it has been demonstrated by the answering Respondent, is not the case," the affidavit states.

The matter will be heard on November 29.

Last week, the Supreme Court had refused to entertain the special leave petition filed by the Central Government against the order of the High Court which paved the way for the implementation of the doorstep delivery of ration scheme.

Case Title: DELHI SARKARI RATION DEALERS SANGH DELHI v. COMMISSIONER FOOD AND SUPPLIES GOVT OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS.