Ensure Maximum Benefit For Poor; Don't Wait For Court Directions: Rajasthan HC Tells Food Corporation Of India

A bench comprised by Chief Justice Indrajit Mahanty and Justice Satish Kumar Sharma has asked the Respondents to file their replies in the matter within 14 days.

The court has also asked them to extend maximum possible benefit to the poor, without awaiting further directions from the court.

"Learned Additional Solicitor General is called upon to file the reply within fortnight. We further direct that in the event, the assertion made by the petitioner is found correct, Union of India and its authorities shall issue necessary directions in order to ensure maximum benefit is extended to the poor and needy people to the State of Rajasthan without awaiting further directions in this matter," the order states.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by Himakshi Alaria, 4th year student of Rajasthan Law University via video conferencing.

She had questioned why the Government was providing benefits under the Act based on old data and why benefits were not being disbursed on the basis of the present list of actual beneficiaries.

"The present PIL essentially [seeks] as to why the Union of India, FCI are allocating NFSA Programme to the State of Rajasthan. She submits that based on the list of beneficiaries, as to why the benefit made available to the poor in the State has not been computed on the basis of the present list of actual beneficiaries entitled to list under the NFSA Programme," the court recorded the Petitioner's submission.

The matter will now be taken up for hearing on July 13.

Case Details:

Case Title: Himakshi Alaria & Anr. v. Union of India & Anr.

Case No.: DB CWP No. 6150/2020

Quorum: Chief Justice Indrajit Mahanty and Justice Satish Kumar Sharma

Appearance: Petitioner in person; ASG RD Rastogi with Advocate Ashish Kumar (for Respondents)

[To Be Updated With Order]