Madras High Court: A Division Bench of Dr Vineet Kothari and R. Suresh Kumar, JJ. addressed a petition wherein Writ of Mandamus was sought to direct respondents to provide relief measures to those who do not have ration cards.
In the present petition it was prayed that the food grains etc., to be distributed by the State Government to the persons those who do not have the Ration cards should be made on the basis of their other identity cards like Aadhar Cards or Driving Licenses or other authorised Identity cards issued by the competent authority, particularly to the members of migrant workers, Community Drivers and Construction Workers who are working in the unorganised sectors within the State of Tamil Nadu and the said items should be provided while maintaining social distancing at the nearest distribution centres opened by Civil Supplies Department.
Additional Advocate General submitted that G.O. No. 77 dated 27-03-2020 had already been issued by State Government with regard to giving 15 Kgs of Rice, 1 Kg of Dhal and 1 Kg of Edible Oil as one time food supply to these class of persons also, who do not have any Ration Card made in the State.
The above would also include the persons who do not have ration cards. Further it was submitted that supply of items to the said class persons is to be made through office of District Collector.
Court’s Decision
Bench stated that to require the persons of unorganised sector like construction workers, daily wagers and migrant workers to approach the District Collector office, for taking their food supplies would cause them unnecessary inconvenience and may breach the norms of social distancing because no time slots were fixed for them.
Thus State is directed to distribute food packets of essential food grains to such persons also, at the same Distribution counters or centres, through which Civil Supplies Department is making distribution of food grains to persons who hold ration cards.[P. Arularasu v. Govt. of T.N., 2020 SCC OnLine Mad 900, decided on 03-04-2020]
