States must implement ’One Nation, One Ration card’ scheme by July 31: Supreme Court

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Jun 29, 2021: The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked states and union territories to implement the "One Nation, One Ration card" (ONORC) scheme by July 31 while directing the Centre to set up a portal for registering migrant workers.

 

The scheme allows migrant workers to get ration at the place of their work in other states as well where their ration cards are not registered.

A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and M R Shah also issued a slew of directions to the Centre and state governments relating to the welfare of migrant workers affected due to Covid-19.

The Supreme Court also directed state governments to provide dry ration and continue community kitchens for migrant workers till the pandemic continues.

The bench also asked the Centre to keep allocating food grains to the states for distribution among migrant workers for free till the pandemic situation exists.

Taking note of the delay in development of software meant to register workers of the unorganised sector to create a national database, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to complete the process by July 31 with the help of the National Informatics Centre (NIC).

"States and UTs will register all contractors as soon as possible and ensure registration of workers," the Supreme Court said.The court was hearing a PIL filed by activists seeking directions to the Centre and states to ensure food security, cash transfers, transport facilities and other welfare measures for the migrant workers. The PIL was filed by activists Anjali Bharadwaj, Harsh Mander and Jagdeep Chhokar.

Courtesy:India Today