For Migrant Workers And Economically Weaker Sections , SC Asks Centre To Consider Adopting One Nation, One Ration Card Scheme Temporarily

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To enable the migrant workers and economically weaker sections get subsidised foodgrain, the Supreme Court has asked the Centre to consider the feasibility of ‘temporarily’ adopting the ‘one nation, one ration card’ scheme during the ongoing coronavirus lockdown period.

A bench of Justices N V Ramana, Sanjay Kishan Kaul and B R Gavai, in an order passed on Monday said: “We direct the Union of India to consider whether it is feasible for it to implement the said Scheme at this stage or not and take appropriate decision in this regard keeping in view the present circumstances”.

The top court disposed of a plea filed by advocate Reepak Kansal, who sought the launching of the scheme, for the benefit of migrant workers, beneficiaries and citizens of other states stranded in different places due to the nationwide lockdown.

He also sought direction to authorities for ensuring migrant labourers who are at present staying in rented premises or in transit camps do not go hungry for want of local identity cards or any identity cards.

Ever since the lockdown was announced on March 24 , by Prime Minister Narendra Modi lakhs of migrant workers have been left in the lurch forcing them to go to their homes. And in absence of trains, inter- state buses they have dared to walk the long distance as well. The first phase of the lockdown ended on April 14. But due to the rise in number of cases the lockdown 2.0  was further extended by two weeks  till May 3 .

The central government scheme is scheduled to be launched in June this year.