The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Central Government to see to it that foodgrains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) reach the last man.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Central Government to see to it that foodgrains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) reach the last man.
The court observed that it is our culture to ensure nobody goes to sleep empty stomach.
A bench of Justices MR Shah and Hima Kohli directed the Centre to submit a fresh chart with the number of migrant and unorganised sector workers registered on eShram portal.
“It is the duty of the Central Government to ensure foodgrains under NFSA are reaching the last man. We are not saying that the Centre is not doing anything; the Union of India has ensured foodgrains to people during Covid. At the same time, we have to see it continue. It is our culture (to ensure) that nobody goes to sleep on empty stomach,” the bench said.
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The SC was hearing its suo moto case on the plight of migrant workers during the Covid pandemic lockdowns.
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Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for three social activists Anjali Bharadwaj, Harsh Mander and Jagdeep Chhokar, said the country’s population has increased after the 2011 census and so has the number of beneficiaries covered under the NFSA. He argued that many eligible and needy beneficiaries will be deprived of the benefit under the law if it is not enforced effectively.
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Bhushan said the Government claims the per capita income of people has increased in recent years, but added India has slipped rapidly in the global hunger index.
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Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, submitted there are 81.35 crore beneficiaries under the NFSA, a very large number even in the Indian context. He said the 2011 census has not stopped the Government from adding more people to the list of beneficiaries which is growing.
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Bhushan countered that 14 States have filed affidavits stating their quota of foodgrains has been exhausted. The matter is posted for resumed hearing on December 8. The top court had earlier asked the Centre to ensure the benefits of the NFSA are not limited by the 2011 census figures and more needy people should be covered under the Act, terming the “Right to Food” a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution.
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The per capita income in India has increased in real terms by 33.4 per cent since the enactment of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in 2013, the Centre had earlier told the apex court, insisting a large number of households have transitioned to the higher income group.
Source: Daily Pioneer
