Authorities must “immediately” issue ration cards, voter identity cards and Aadhaar numbers to sex workers so that they can receive benefits of social welfare schemes, the Supreme Court directed on Tuesday.
The bench, which included justices BR Gavai and BV Nagarathna, said the identity cards have to be given to sex workers from the list maintained by the National AIDS Control Organisation. (HT File)
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“It is the bounden duty of the state to provide basic amenities to the citizens of this country... fundamental rights are guaranteed to every citizen irrespective of vocation,” said a bench headed by justice L Nageswara Rao, as it ordered the central and state governments to begin the process of issuing an array of identity documents and numbers to sex workers across the country.
The bench, which included justices BR Gavai and BV Nagarathna, said the identity cards have to be given to sex workers from the list maintained by the National AIDS Control Organisation.
“Authorities can take the assistance of state AIDS control societies, which are directed to prepare a list of sex workers, after verifying the information provided to them by community-based organisations,”stated the court in its order.
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During the proceedings, the top court lamented that although its direction regarding issuance of ration cards and voter IDs was issued in 2011, no progress was made. “The state governments and UTs were directed to issue ration cards and identity cards to sex workers almost a decade back and there is no reason as to why such directions are not implemented till now,” rued the bench, citing its previous judgment.
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During the proceedings, the top court lamented that although its direction regarding issuance of ration cards and voter IDs was issued in 2011, no progress was made. “The state governments and UTs were directed to issue ration cards and identity cards to sex workers almost a decade back and there is no reason as to why such directions are not implemented till now,” rued the bench, citing its previous judgment.
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The court also clarified that states shall continue giving dry ration to sex workers without insisting on identity cards.
“In the meanwhile, state governments and UTs are directed to continue distribution of dry ration to sex workers without insisting on ration cards...,” the court said.
Utkarsh Anand is the National Legal Editor at Hindustan Times, where he leads the newspaper's coverage of the Supreme Court, constitutional law, the judiciary and the Union law ministry. He joined Hindustan Times in 2020 after stints at Press Trust of India (PTI), The Indian Express and CNN-News18, and has over two decades of experience reporting on law, governance and public policy. His work has focussed on some of India's most consequential constitutional and legal developments, including the Supreme Court's judgments on Article 370, marriage equality, decriminalisation of homosexuality, the Babri Masjid dispute, electoral reforms and judicial appointments. He specialises in making complex legal proceedings and judgments accessible to readers while examining their wider social and political impact. Beyond daily reportage, Utkarsh has led investigative projects and enterprise reporting that have shaped public debate and prompted institutional responses. His work has received several journalism awards, including the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award. As National Legal Editor, he has also played a key role in expanding Hindustan Times' legal journalism footprint, mentoring reporters and strengthening coverage across platforms. A Chevening South Asia Journalism Programme Fellow, Utkarsh regularly writes analyses on the judiciary and constitutional issues, and his reporting is widely followed by lawyers, judges, policymakers, academics and readers seeking clarity on India's evolving legal landscape.
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Home/India News/Issue voter IDs, ration cards to sex workers: Top court to govts
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