Photos: SC asks Centre to consider ‘one nation one ration card’ in lockdown

The “one nation one ration card” scheme aimed at ensuring beneficiaries get what is due to them in terms of subsidised foodgrain even when they are out of their home states, was expected to be launched in June this year across 20 states in India. Responding to a petition highlighting the toll the extended nationwide lockdown is taking upon stranded migrant workers, the Supreme Court on Monday asked the central government to look into the possibilities surrounding a temporary implementation of the scheme as an alleviating measure.

Updated on: May 01, 2020 8:23 PM IST

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People wait in a queue to collect free ration from a government store in Prayagraj, on May 1, 2020. The Supreme Court has asked the Central government to examine the feasibility of implementing the “one nation one ration card” scheme during lockdown to alleviate hardships being faced by people. (PTI)

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Migrant workers from Lucknow rest along the Eastern Express Highway on their way to the native towns and villages, in Thane on April 29. A three-judge bench headed by justice NV Ramana passed the order in a plea by a petitioner who highlighted the plight of migrant labourers because they did not have local identity proof. (Mitesh Bhuvad / PTI)

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Stranded migrant workers from Tamil Nadu stand in queue for food packets outside Mahim Railway station in Mumbai, on April 27. The “one nation one ration card” scheme was expected to be launched in June across 20 states. The scheme is aimed at ensuring beneficiaries get due subsidised foodgrain even outside their home states. (Pratik Chorge / HT Photo)

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A woman takes back food items provided by the government in Mumbai’s Worli on April 26. (Satish Bate / HT Photo)

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Volunteers prepare food in a community kitchen by ISKCON in New Delhi on April 30. Many experts think that most migrants who are stuck in the cities are likely to have left their ration card back home, for their families to use. They will be better served by community kitchens. (Amal KS / HT Photo)

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A man moves ahead in a queue at a food distribution in Noida on April 30. Another solution presented towards tacking hunger and the loss of government benefits for stranded workers is temporarily universalising the Public Distribution System (PDS). (Virendra Singh Gosain / HT Photo)

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People’s belongings kept as placeholders in a queue for ration in Pune, on April 27. Activist Nikhil Dey told HT that there are many limitations to extending the “one nation, one ration card” even temporarily. “Different schemes and coverage exists in different states, so they are reluctant to recognise migrants as being entitled to their schemes.” (PTI)

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Stranded migrant workers journeying home to Madhya Pradesh, from Gurugram on April 29. In most cases, Dey said, only one family member has a ration card. Moreover, there are 35% people who are outside the ambit of this scheme. He suggests using food stocks to universalise the PDS and deal with issue. (Yogendra Kumar / HT Photo)