All States Must Implement One Nation, One Ration Card Scheme: SC Reserves Judgement In Suo Moto Migrant Workers Case

What Did The Court Say

• The One Nation, One Ration Card Scheme must be implemented so that migrant laborers get ration benefits from anywhere in the country irrespective of the place of registration.
• The Bench consisting of Justice M R Shah and Justices Ashok Bhushan said that no excuses can be given regarding the application of this scheme.
• This judgement was given in the suo moto case of “In Re Problems and Miseries of Migrant Workers”.
• The Court also questioned the centre about the progress done with the development of the National Database.

Background

• Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave brought attention to the non availability of benefits to unregistered migrant workers.
• He claimed that the Centre was trying to shift the burden to the States.
• Solicitor General Tushar Mehta contended that the Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojana had been extended and the number of migrants had been identified.
• ASG Aishwarya Bhati also stated that 8 Lakh Metric Tonnes of foodgrains has been given to the States to be distributed.

What Was The Final Outcome

• The SC has directed the Central and the State Government to complete the registration process of unorganised workers.
• It highlighted the need to have a National Database for Unorganised Workers.
• Regarding the database, the Solicitor General agreed to speak with the NIC to complete the database in a time bound manner.
• The Court also directed the Centre to file a detailed affidavit regarding the same.

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