SC orders implementation of 'one nation, one ration card scheme' by July 31

The Supreme Court on Tuesday set a deadline of July 31 for States to implement the ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ scheme to allow migrant workers avail of subsidised food from any part of the country.A

The Supreme Court on Tuesday set a deadline of July 31 for States to implement the ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ scheme to allow migrant workers avail of subsidised food from any part of the country. A Bench led by Justice Ashok Bhushan also directed the Centre to have its national portal to register migrant and unorganised workers up and running by July 31. The court directed State governments to introduce a scheme to supply dry rations to migrant workers by July 31 and operate community kitchens so no one goes hungry during the pandemic. The court reminded the authorities that right to food was a fundamental right. The direction has come on the basis of submissions made by advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for some activists, that the number of community kitchens in Delhi, providing cooked food, had reduced this year. Mr. Bhushan had also neither the Centre nor the States had provided dry rations to stranded migrant workers under the Atma Nirbhar Scheme across the country.