Gauhati High Court Directs Assam Govt To Identify Ration Card Beneficiaries In Slum Areas Of Guwahati, Extend Help To The Needy

The Gauhati High Court has directed the state government to identify the ration cards beneficiaries in slum areas of Guwahati.

The Bench of Justice N. Kotiswar Singh and Justice Malasri Nandi has also directed that families who need help in the COVID-19 pandemic be given help immediately, in form of food and other day-to-day support promptly.

The order came on the PIL filed by one Syeda Mehzebin Rahman of Guwahati regarding the issuance of ration cards for households in slum areas (in slum areas of Uzanbazar, Bharalumukh, Santipur, and Bhutnath) of Guwahati district.

It was submitted that though some of the beneficiaries have been identified for the purpose of issuance of ration cards, however, the beneficiaries could not be identified by the concerned Counselor of the respective Municipal Boards, therefore, the matter could not be finalized.

It was submitted that since the election has not taken place in Gauhati Municipal Corporation, there is no Ward Commissioner who could identify the applicants.

In view of this, the Court directed that as a temporary arrangement, Inspector of Food and Civil Supplies attached to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup (M), or any such competent authority be identified in absence of the Ward Commissioner for the purpose of identification of beneficiaries.

Similar directions have been issued to provide food and other day-to-day support to such families who have earlier been identified by para-legal volunteers and who fulfill the conditions for grant of such benefit being affected by COVID.

"The Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup (M) shall undertake the aforesaid exercise within 8 weeks by following the National Food Security Act, 2013 and the guidelines issued in that regard including on 08.08.2013. We also make it clear that if the benefits under this Act could not be extended because of any lack of documentation or identification document, the same may be specified before this Court so that appropriate order can be passed," the Court said as it posted the matter for further hearing on March 2, 2022.

Case title - SYEDA MEHZEBIN RAHMAN v. UNION OF INDIA AND 7 ORS

Click Here To Read/Download Order