Plea In SC Seeks 'One Nation One Ration Card' Scheme To Ensure Availability of Subsidised Food Grains to Beneficiaries [Read Petition]

A petition filed in Supreme Court seeks the advanced implementation of the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme to ensure availability of subsidised food grains to beneficiaries who are presently aggrieved amid the ongoing Corona Virus crisis.

To this end, it has been prayed that the One Nation One Umbrella (ONOU) scheme may be temporarily adopted so that the rights of migrant workers and the destitute are safeguarded by the Government.

Filed by lawyer Reepak Kansal, the petition details the plight of said migrants, employees and other citizens who find themselves locked in in various facilities in states other than their home state. It is submitted that most States and Union territories are giving preference to voters from their own State in providing subsidized basic essentials while denying migrants the same. In this light it is urged that the Central Government be directed to adopt ONORC in order to protect the rights of these people specifically, who are equally entitled to benefits of Government schemes.

"The scheme of "One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC)" announced by Central Government which is about to start in the month of June, 2020. Due to lack of scheme of One Nation One Rashan Card and another policy / circular / notification by Central Government to protect the rights of laborers / employees/ small businessman / daily wagers / tourists etc, in regard to protect the lives and health of above-said section. The said section of the society has not been getting benefits of schemes of Central Government and State Governments including subsidized food grains, shelter and medical facilities (Except Corona Treatment)."

Invoking Article 21 of the Constitution, Kansal argues that the Central and State Governments are obliged to provide food, shelter and medical aid to all such persons, and to do so they must adopt ONOU to save all human lives without any discrimination of State identity.

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