Disappointed, dismayed at lack of Delhi govt effort to distribute ration to all: High Court

By Our Representative
The Delhi High Court bench comprising Justices Siddharth Mridul and Talwant Singh., hearing a petition filed by the Delhi Rozi Roti Adhikar Abhiyaan (DRRAA), regarding ensuring access to ration during the Covid-19 lockdown, has said that it is “disappointed” and “dismayed” at lack of compliance with its direction on distributing ration for all.
The High Court observation follows directions it gave during earlier two hearings (April 27 and May 6) regarding distribution of foodgrains during the lockdown, asking the Delhi government to ensure that all ration shops disbursing foodgrains are open during working hours from 9 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to7 pm on all seven days, and that foodgrains are also distributed to the poor, needy and marginalized non-public distribution system (PDS) residents.
It also asked the state government to monitor the distribution of foodgrains through the concerned sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) of each district and upload the details of shop-wise disbursement of ration at the end of each day, and publicizing the compliance to its directions in the print and electronic media on a daily basis.
Asking the state government to “immediately place” on its website grievance helpline numbers, the High Court had futher said, it should also install complaint boxes at all the ration shops and non-PDS distribution centres.
During the hearing on May 18, DRRAA, represented through advocates Sanjay Parikh and Prasanna S, said that the system adopted by the government of issuing e-coupons to those who do not have ration cards was inaccessible to the most vulnerable, as it required a smart phone. They do not have access to internet, are unable to generate OTP, upload photos of the family and a copy of the aadhaar and finally to download the e-coupon, the court was told.
Further, the advocates said, the complaints helplines numbers (1967 and 1800110841) designated by the Delhi government were “inaccessible”, and that despite the orders of the court, volunteers of DRRAA had found many ration shops shut during working hours.

In violation of the Delhi High Court’s direction, no details of action taken on complaints was available in the public domain

Meanwhile, it was pointed out, the government was uploading only total number of ration cardholders/ e-coupon holders who had been distributed rations, without disclosing details of who had received, how much rations. “In violation of the court’s direction, no details of action taken on complaints was available in the public domain”, the advocates argued in the court.
The High Court said it was “disappointed and dismayed” as the state government has not complied with its directions. On the issue of ensuring rations for all those who need it, the judges commented that the e-coupon system was not appropriate as it was inaccessible for people.
Questioning how people were expected to access the system, Justice Mridual asked whether the government was providing free public wi-fi all over Delhi. He added, the court didn’t want a single person in Delhi to go hungry, directomg the government to immediately start distributing rations to needy persons.
The Court directed the secretary-cum food commissioner of the Delhi government to file a detailed compliance report regarding its directions of April 27 and May 6 within 4 days. It also directed that the government must immediately start providing grains to all those who need it and has now listed the matter to be heard on May 26.

Comments

Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan raises concerns over Jharkhand Adivasis' plight in Assam, BJP policies

By Our Representative The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan (Save Democracy Campaign) has issued a pressing call to protect Adivasi rights in Jharkhand, highlighting serious concerns over the treatment of Jharkhandi Adivasis in Assam. During a press conference in Ranchi on November 9, representatives from Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh criticized the current approach of BJP-led governments in these states, arguing it has exacerbated Adivasi struggles for rights, land, and cultural preservation.

Promoting love or instilling hate and fear: Why is RSS seeking a meeting with Rahul Gandhi?

By Ram Puniyani* India's anti-colonial struggle was marked by a diverse range of social movements, one of the most significant being Hindu-Muslim unity and the emergence of a unified Indian identity among people of all religions. The nationalist, anti-colonial movement championed this unity, best embodied by Mahatma Gandhi, who ultimately gave his life for this cause. Gandhi once wrote, “The union that we want is not a patched-up thing but a union of hearts... Swaraj (self-rule) for India must be an impossible dream without an indissoluble union between the Hindus and Muslims of India. It must not be a mere truce... It must be a partnership between equals, each respecting the religion of the other.”

Right-arm fast bowler who helped West Indies shape arguably greatest Test team in cricket history

By Harsh Thakor* Malcolm Marshall redefined what it meant to be a right-arm fast bowler, challenging the traditional laws of biomechanics with his unique skill. As we remember his 25th death anniversary on November 4th, we reflect on the legacy he left behind after his untimely death from colon cancer. For a significant part of his career, Marshall was considered one of the fastest and most formidable bowlers in the world, helping to shape the West Indies into arguably the greatest Test team in cricket history.

Andhra team joins Gandhians to protest against 'bulldozer action' in Varanasi

By Rosamma Thomas* November 1 marked the 52nd day of the 100-day relay fast at the satyagraha site of Rajghat in Varanasi, seeking the restoration of the 12 acres of land to the Sarva Seva Sangh, the Gandhian organization that was evicted from the banks of the river. Twelve buildings were demolished as the site was abruptly taken over by the government after “bulldozer” action in August 2023, even as the matter was pending in court.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

Will Left victory in Sri Lanka deliver economic sovereignty plan, go beyond 'tired' IMF agenda?

By Atul Chandra, Vijay Prashad* On September 22, 2024, the Sri Lankan election authority announced that Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) alliance won the presidential election. Dissanayake, who has been the leader of the left-wing JVP since 2014, defeated 37 other candidates, including the incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party (UNP) and his closest challenger Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.

Will Bangladesh go Egypt way, where military ruler is in power for a decade?

By Vijay Prashad* The day after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka, I was on the phone with a friend who had spent some time on the streets that day. He told me about the atmosphere in Dhaka, how people with little previous political experience had joined in the large protests alongside the students—who seemed to be leading the agitation. I asked him about the political infrastructure of the students and about their political orientation. He said that the protests seemed well-organized and that the students had escalated their demands from an end to certain quotas for government jobs to an end to the government of Sheikh Hasina. Even hours before she left the country, it did not seem that this would be the outcome.

A Marxist intellectual who dwelt into complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape

By Harsh Thakor* Professor Manoranjan Mohanty has been a dedicated advocate for human rights over five decades. His work as a scholar and activist has supported revolutionary democratic movements, navigating complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape. His balanced, non-partisan approach to human rights and social justice has made his books essential resources for advocates of democracy.

Tributes paid to pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, who 'dodged' police for 60 yrs

By Harsh Thakor* Jagjit Singh Sohal, known as Comrade Sharma, a pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, passed away on October 20 at the age of 96. Committed to the Naxalite cause and a prominent Maoist leader, Sohal, who succeeded Charu Majumdar, played hide and seek with the police for almost six decades. He was cremated in Patiala.

Search This Blog