Supreme Court Questions Ration Card System: Are Benefits Reaching the Right People?
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Supreme Court has raised questions regarding ration cards. A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh stated, "Our concern is whether the benefits meant for the poor are reaching those who truly deserve them. The ration card has now become a card of popularity." The Supreme Court pointed out that when states were asked to present their development index, they showed high per capita growth rates. However, when it came to subsidies, they claimed that 75% of their population was below the poverty line (BPL). The bench remarked, "These states simply say that they have issued a certain number of ration cards. Some states, when highlighting their development, claim that their per capita income is increasing. But when we talk about BPL, they state that 75% of their population falls under this category. How can these facts be reconciled? There is an inherent contradiction. We must ensure that the benefits reach the actual beneficiaries."
This case is related to a suo motu petition initiated to address the hardships faced by migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing some intervenors, argued that this contradiction stems from income inequality. He stated, "A handful of people possess significantly more wealth than the rest of the population, and per capita income is merely an average of the total state income. The rich are getting richer, while the poor remain poor." Bhushan emphasized the need to provide free rations to poor migrant workers registered on the government’s e-Shram portal, estimating their number at around eight crore (80 million). Justice Surya Kant remarked, "We hope that political elements are not involved in the issuance of ration cards. I have not forgotten my roots—I always want to know about the plight of the poor. There are still families living in poverty."
Bhushan also pointed out that the government did not conduct the 2021 Census and is still working with 2011 Census data, which has led to around 10 crore (100 million) people who need free rations being excluded from the BPL category. On behalf of the central government, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati stated that the government is providing free rations to around 81.35 crore (813.5 million) people under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), along with an additional 11 crore (110 million) people under a similar scheme.
