States must implement ‘One nation, one ration card’ scheme by July 31: Supreme Court
The Court also asked state governments to introduce a scheme to supply dry rations to migrant workers by July 31 and operate community kitchens during the COVID-19 pandemic so that everybody gets food.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed that all states and Union Territories must implement “one nation, one ration card” scheme – which enables migrant workers to avail ration benefits from any part of the country – by July 31.
The Court also asked state governments to introduce a scheme to supply dry rations to migrant workers by July 31 and operate community kitchens during the COVID-19 pandemic so that everybody gets food.
It asked the Centre to keep allocating foodgrains to states, UTs for distribution among migrant workers for free till the pandemic situation exists.
A bench of justices Ashok Bhushan and M R Shah issued a slew of directions on a plea of three activists seeking directions to the Centre and states to ensure food security, cash transfers and other welfare measures for migrant workers who faced distress again due to curfews and lockdowns in various parts of country during the second wave of COVID-19.
The bench also 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 July 31.