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Synopsis

The Supreme Court has directed all the States and Union Territories to provide ration cards to all the persons eligible or entitled for it under the National Food Security Act before November 19, 2024 and be provided with foodgrains forthwith, observing patience may be a virtue but it is coming to end for it.

Considering suo motu matter registered as 'In Re: Problems and Miseries of Migrant Labourers', a bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah told the States the court has lost its patience, that there will be no more indulgence in this regard. 

The bench clarified it was giving one last window to comply with the order or secretary will remain present.

"All such persons who are eligible (entitled for Ration Cards/ foodgrains as per the NFSA) and have been identified as such by the respective States/Union Territories, must be issued Ration Cards before 19.11.2024. They shall also be provided with the foodgrains forthwith," the bench said.

"Patience may be a virtue – but ours is nearing its end. For the States where in spite of identification, Ration Cards have not been issued on or before 19.11.2024, the concerned Secretary/ies (Food and Civil Supplies) shall remain present in person before this court on the next date of hearing, to explain as to why Ration Cards have not been issued despite the identification, and in spite of repeated orders in this regard," the bench further said in its order on October 4, 2024.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, on behalf of the Centre, said that only one ration card is issued per priority household under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana.

Court has now scheduled the matter for consideration on November 19, 2024.

The court had earlier directed the defaulting states to complete the verification process within the stipulated time of one month and provide ration cards to migrant workers.

"Why could the verification not be completed in four months. This is too much. After four months you are still doing it and have the audacity to say another two months are required..", the bench had said giving one month's time for the purpose.

Calling the delay to be unfortunate, the court had said it will summon secretaries if the states fail to abide by the court's orders.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioners, informed the court that while some states had completed the process, others had not even started.

Last year, Supreme Court had granted three months’ time to the States and UTs across the country to undertake the exercise to issue ration cards to the left out migrant labourers who are registered on eShram portal by giving wide publicity.

The Central government had submitted a status report, before the Top Court stating that against the total target of 38,37,42,394 migrants, 28,86,23,993 migrants had already registered their names on eShram portal.