Supreme Court Mandates Quick Issuance of Ration Cards for Migrant Workers

The Supreme Court has reiterated that state governments must issue ration cards within four weeks to all migrant and unorganised sector workers registered on the e-shram portal. The Court also urged the Central government to allocate extra foodgrains to states that fulfill this directive.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday reiterated its directive that state governments must issue ration cards within four weeks to migrant and unorganised sector workers registered on the e-shram portal. Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah further instructed the Central government to release additional foodgrains to states complying with this order.

The Court expressed concern over the sluggish pace at which states were verifying and issuing ration cards, firmly directing all states to complete this task within four weeks and submit compliance reports. Failure to do so could result in proceedings against the responsible officials. Petitioners highlighted that several states had declared their quotas under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) were exhausted and could only issue ration cards if they received extra foodgrains from the Central government.

In previous orders from March 2024 and 2023, the Court mandated that all State/UT governments issue ration cards under NFSA to the 8 crore individuals registered on the eShram portal but lacking these cards. Today's hearing reaffirmed that ration cards must be issued regardless of quotas defined in section 3 of the NFSA.

The Court noted that the NFSA coverage is currently based on the 2011 census, excluding over 10 crore people due to the absence of a 2021 census. Counsels Prashant Bhushan and Cheryl D'Souza represented petitioners Anjali Bhardwaj, Harsh Mander, and Jagdeep Chhokar, who moved miscellaneous applications in the suo motu petition initiated by the Court.

The case titled 'Re Problems and Miseries of Migrant Labourers' emphasized ensuring food security for migrant and unorganised sector workers. The Court previously recognized these workers as the backbone of the country, deserving rations at subsidized rates.

(With inputs from agencies.)