SC Directs Centre To Consider Plea To Provide Ration Even For Those Without Rations Card [Read Order]

The Petitioner, Aayom Welfare Society had sought "universilization" of the Public Distribution System so as to increase its reach to the poor and downtrodden, during the lockdown.

It had submitted that the same would enable the availability of essential food items for all in the present times of global pandemic and would alleviate another 20% of the population in the country to meet its food for survival requirements.

It had also pointed out that there is surplus of food grains and thus universalisation of PDS would enable the poorest of poor, including migrant communities, homeless and elderly, nomadic tribes and other vulnerable communities, access to food.

After hearing the Petitioners via video conferencing, the court observed that the same is a "policy issue" and thus left it open for consideration of the Central Government.

"This being a policy issue, it is left open to the Government of India and also the concerned States/ Union Territories to consider such relief," a bench comprising of Justices NV Ramana, SK Kaul and BR Gavai said.

Accordingly, the Petitioner was directed to supply a copy of the writ petition to the Union of India through Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.

Case Details:

Case Title: Aayom Welfare Society v. Union of India & Ors.

Case No.: WP (C) Diary No. 11031/2020

Quorum: Justice NV Ramana, Justice SK Kaul and Justice BR Gavai

Appearance: Advocate Qurratulain and AoR Himanshu Bhushan (for Petitioner); SG Tushar Mehta and AoR BV Balaram (for Govt)

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