"You Cannot Sit On The Application For So Long": High Court Seeks Delhi Govt's Stand On Woman's Plea Regarding Non Issuance Of Ration Card Over 8 Years

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the stand of the Delhi Government on a woman's plea regarding non-issuance of ration card to her over a lapse of 8 years despite her repeated representations made to the Authority.

Justice Rekha Palli, while posting the matter for further hearing on October 25, thought it appropriate to get instructions from the Delhi Government before filing of responses in the matter.

The woman, claiming to be a person falling under the below poverty line category, had approached the Court with a grievance that despite her application dated September 25, 2013, no ration card was issued to her over 8 years.

Her counsel submitted that an application was also submitted in the year 2018 and that being a person falling below the BPL category, she had no source of income to sustain herself.

Advocate Gautam Narayan appearing for the Delhi Government submitted that the amount of food grains to be allowed to every State and Union Territory depends on the formula devised by the Central Government.

Moreover, he added that during the entire period, the Petitioner was not deprived of or denied ration and was in fact been provided with subsidized food grains free of cost. 

"You can't say you'll not give. It is under process but for how many years?, Justice Palli remarked.

Narayan also submitted that after the introduction of the National Food Security Act in the year 2013, every person is being issued new smart cards based on the Aadhar card details.

However, he submitted that the petitioner had submitted receiving of the Aadhar card application and not the Aadhar card itself as a result of which the delay occurred.

"You are right that it will be done on a first come and first serve basis but three years are enough," the Court said.

"It's not a political speech here. I'm only interested in knowing when will you issue the ration card. You're not going to sit on it. Three years are gone," the Court added.

"Mr. Gautam Narayan appearing for Respondents 2-4 on advance notice prays time for instructions. Keeping in view the nature of relief sought, this Court deems it appropriate to first direct the Respondent no. 2 to obtain instructions as to why the application is pending for the last 8 years," the Court said while posting the matter for further hearing on October 25.

Title: Shanti Devi v. Union of India