Provide Free Ration To People Without Insisting On Ration Card Till Scheme Remains In Place: High Court To Delhi Govt

The Delhi High Court has asked the Delhi Government to continue providing free ration to people without insisting on a ration card till it's policy remains in force in the national capital.

Justice Rekha Palli was dealing with a plea moved by seven families through Advocate Abhishek Anand, who had lost their jobs due to covid pandemic, seeking directions on the Delhi Government to provide ration facilities all Families living without insisting on any 'Ration Card' for a period of not less than three months.

The plea also sought directions to provide them with some monetary relief, so that they can purchase LPG Cylinder to cook their food or be given LPG Cylinder, for a period of not less than three months.

"Needless to state, the respondents will continue to provide free ration to the petitioners and other similarly placed persons, as long as the scheme for providing free ration, without insisting on a ration card,remains in place," the Court said.

During the course of hearing, Santosh Kumar Tripathi, standing counsel for Delhi Government apprised the Court that free ration is already being provided to all the petitioners in the matter.

On the other hand, Ajay Digpaul appearing for the Centre submitted that even though it has no role to play for providing the relief sought by the petitioners, free of cost allocation of foodgrains to all States and Union Territories is being done under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY-III) scheme to all the beneficiaries from the Central Pool.

He also submitted that the said scheme has been extended till November, 2021.

Noting that the petitioners were being provided free ration despite the lockdown having been lifted, the Court said that nothing further survives for adjudication in the petition.

Accordingly, the petition was disposed of as infructuous by the Court.

Earlier, the Delhi Government had informed the Court that the scheme for distribution of non PDS Ration to people who do not possess ration cards is likely to be operationalized from June 5 in the national capital.

The Delhi Government had apprised the Court about letter dated May 27 written by the Commissioner Food and Supplies, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, to all the District Magistrates conveying the decision taken by Delhi Cabinet for distribution of non-PDS ration to persons who do not possess any ration card. 

Title: ADIL THROUGH HIS SISTER & ORS. v. GOVT OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS.