WE DO NOT WANT A SINGLE PERSON IN DELHI TO GO HUNGRY SAYS HC

The Delhi HC On Monday (18 May 2020) directed Secretary cum Food Commissioner of Delhi government to file a detailed compliance report with regards to its direction of 27th April directing to open ration shops during working hours on all 7 days and On 6th May directing to install complaint boxes at all ration shops and non-PDS distribution Centers in relation to a Plea filed seeking directions for the availability of ration to the people in need.

A division bench presided by Justice Siddharth Mridul and Justice Talwant Singh of Delhi HC while conducting the hearing through video conferencing noted in their order that they are disappointed and dismayed as the government had not complied with its directions while hearing PIL filed by Delhi Rozi-Roti Adhikar Abhiyan seeking directions to ensure that the issue of denial of access to food grains and other key resources based on non-availability of Aadhaar is immediately redressed during the time of COVID-19 Pandemic.

Counsels appearing for DRRAA Mr. Sanjay Parikh and Mr. Prasanna S. Informed the Court that “In terms of transparency in distribution, the government was uploading only the total number of ration cardholders who had been distributed rations, without disclosing details of who had received, how much rations. In violation of the Court’s direction, no details of action taken on complaints were available in the public domain.

Whereas the observed that “….the e-coupon system was not appropriate as it was inaccessible for people.” The bench further asked the counsel, whether the government was providing free public wi-fi all over Delhi.

The Court reiterated by saying that “…. They didn’t want a single person in Delhi to go hungry and directed the government to immediately start distributing rations to needy persons.” The Court suggested that the government could use indelible ink to prevent people from picking up ration more than once.

The matter will be heard next on 26th May 2020.

By Shubhi Singhal Law College Dehradun (Uttaranchal University)