Pravasisamwad.com
New Delhi
The Central Government has come up with the ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ scheme to enable migrant workers to take government ration in any state of the country.
But some states are yet to implement it. During the hearing in the Supreme Court on Friday, Bengal and Delhi got a severe reprimand. While issuing the order, the Supreme Court said that all the states and union territories should implement this scheme as soon as possible, so that the migrant laborers can get the benefit of it.
Supreme Court seeks replies from states
The Supreme Court had sought replies from various states in this regard. Activists Anil Bhardwaj, Harsh Mander and Jagdeep Chokar have also filed new petitions in the same case. At present, the bench of Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice MR Shah has reserved its decision.
Anger at the attitude of Bengal and Delhi
Apart from the central government, the states also put forth their argument in this regard in the Supreme Court. This scheme has been implemented in Punjab and Maharashtra. But on behalf of Bengal, the lawyer clarified that due to the seeding issue of Aadhaar, this scheme could not be implemented in the state yet. The Centre said that Delhi, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Assam have not yet been able to implement this scheme. However, the lawyer of Delhi told that this scheme has been implemented in his place.
SC tells not to make excuses
Taking this matter seriously, the Supreme Court said that this scheme is related to the interests of migrant laborers, so take it seriously. No excuses will work. All states should implement this scheme on priority.
Displeasure over software registration delay
The Supreme Court also expressed displeasure over the lack of software for registration of workers in the unorganized sectors. Once this software is made, the data of laborers across the country will be available at one place. Work on the software is going on since August last year. It will still take another 4 months to complete it. The Supreme Court also raised questions on this.
Raised the issue of ration card
The Supreme Court said that how will the central government be able to give free ration under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana till November to the laborers who do not have ration cards yet?
Actually, this issue was raised by Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave on behalf of the activist. He said that the Centre is imposing this responsibility on the states from its side. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on behalf of the Centre told that this scheme has been extended till November. So far 8 lakh metric tonnes of food grains have been given under this scheme. The responsibility of distributing ration is on the states.