States” must” implement” policy” for” mi er an ts :” sc

SC expresses its displeasure on delay in creation of a national portal to register unrecognised workers

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday asked the West Bengal government to implement the One Nation One Ration Card scheme “immediately” to help beneficiaries, especially migrant workers, to avail of subsidised food commodities from anywhere in the country.

While the counsel for the state government flagged the issue of seeding ration cards with Aadhaar, the top court was emphatic that “no excuse will be considered” and that West Bengal must make the scheme functional.

“In fact, all states must implement this scheme so that migrant workers can benefit,” remarked the bench of justices Ashok Bhushan and MR Shah, which was hearing a suo motu case pertaining to “problems and miseries of migrant workers”.

The scheme is currently functional in 32 states and UTS and allows eligible beneficiaries to get food grain under the National Food Security Act from fair price shops across India without securing a new ration card.

Bengal, Assam, Chhattisgarh and Delhi are yet to implement it, according to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was representing the Centre.

The Delhi government, however, on Friday said it will implement the scheme.

Reserving its order, the bench asked counsel for all states to submit a brief note on the implementation of the scheme and other policy measures taken to help migrant workers. The court also asked the Union government whether the Pradhan Mantri Atmanirbhar Scheme could be extended to migrant workers who did not have the ration cards since the other scheme for distributing free grain, the Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Anna Yojana, which has been extended till November, may not cover those not having ration cards.

Senior advocates Dushyant Dave, Colin Gonsalves and Anand Grover, appearing for several applicants in the matter, expressed concern that around 30 million workers in the unorganised sector could be left out for want of ration cards.

In response, Mehta and additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati emphasised that PM Garib Kalyan Yojana identified around 800 million people for distribution of free food grain. Stating that 8 lakh metric tonne of food grain has been given to states, the law officers added that states must frame schemes to ensure that supplies reach all.

The bench, however, told the Union government that it should consider extending the scheme temporarily to those who did not have ration cards.

Meanwhile, the court also expressed displeasure that the creation of a national portal or database to register unrecognised workers has moved slowly. “This project began in August 2020 and not even a module is ready. What is this? ₹417 crore has been released... but there is nothing done till date and you are asking for 3-4 months more just to create a module,” the bench asked the S-G.

Mehta said the National Informatics Centre has taken over the project and that he will seek instructions on expediting the process.

“Your officers have been doing nothing. Just because your director says they do not have time, this cannot be put on hold forever. Identification and registration are the first steps in ensuring benefits reach migrant workers,” said the court, indicating it will also issue some directions regarding the timeline for the national portal to register such workers.