On the 29th of June, the Supreme Court (SC) ordered all the states and union territories (UTs) of India to implement the ‘One Nation, One Ration’ scheme by the 31st of July.
Under the ‘One Nation, One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme, migrant workers and underprivileged people would be able to get free ration through their ration cards. With this, the ration card holder could get ration anywhere in the nation, even if their card is registered in a different state. Launched in 2019, the scheme aims to provide ration across India with the ration card of any state. The scheme is applicable to ration cards issued under the National Food Security Act (NSFA) 2013.
The Centre had said that while most of the states were implementing the ONORC, three states and a union territory Assam, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and West Bengal had not done so and implementing it would depend on their technical readiness.
The judgement of the SC was given after it heard a petition filed by three activists of Delhi, seeking direction to ensure food grains to underprivileged and migrant people during the ongoing Wuhan virus, also known as the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The social activists Anjali Bharadwaj, Harsh Mander and Jagdeep Chhokar filed the plea in the Apex Court and asked to implement welfare measures for migrant workers. The activists sought orders for UT and state governments and the Central Government, ensuring welfare programmes, free food distribution to migrants, who are suffering due to the imposed lockdown and second wave of COVID-19.
The plea was reviewed by a SC bench comprising of Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice M.R.Shah. The bench also asked the Government of India (GoI) to supply dry food and food grains (rice, cereals and pulses) to migrants and underprivileged people for free.
The bench directed the Centre to develop a portal with the help of the National Informatics Centre (NIC) for registration of unorganised sector workers for granting them the benefits of welfare schemes by the 31st of July. In addition, the Top Court asked the state and UT governments to initiate and run community kitchens for migrant workers till the pandemic situation continues.
Stay tuned for further updates.
