Supreme Court directs States to issue ration cards to 8 crore migrant workers within 2 months

The Supreme Court recently ordered that States and Union Territories (UTs) to complete the exercise of providing ration cards to 8 crore migrant workers within two months [In Re Problems and Miseries of Migrant Workers].A bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah passed the order after noting that its year-old order to provide ration cards to migrants workers was yet to be implemented. "In the first instance, it is deemed appropriate to direct the concerned State Governments/Union Territories to issue ration cards to the remaining registrants on eShram portal who do not possess any ration card so far....The aforesaid exercise is directed to be undertaken by the State Governments/Union Territories and completed within two months," the Court ordered.The Court also said the Central government's exercise of completing electronic know your customer (KYC) for the card-holders can go on simultaneously."On its part, Union of India may continue the exercise of completion of the e-KYC, procedure ... In our opinion both the exercise can continue contemporaneously so that all the data is compiled and ration cards can be issued to the unregistered migrants/unorganized workers, as per their eligibility and in accordance with the prescribed procedure," the bench stated.The Court also directed that States and UTs should file compliance affidavits before the Court and copies should be furnished to Union of India's counsel for purposes of collation and for updation of the exercise undertaken by the Central government..The order was passed in a suo motu case concerning the welfare of migrant workers which was initiated by the Court during the COVID lockdown of 2020. The Supreme Court had in April 2023 issued directions to States to ensure that nearly 8 crore migrant workers who are eligible for ration are issued cards for the same.The number reflects those who have registered on a dedicated portal for migrant workers but not received ration cards.A bench of Justices Amanullah and MR Shah had noted in April 2023 that it was the duty of government in a welfare state to ensure that migrants are not deprived of benefits like food grains.When the matter was heard on March 19, it was submitted on behalf of the petitioner that out of 28.60 crore registrants on eShram, 20.63 crores have been registered on ration card data thus leaving out approximately 8 crores registrants. They have not been issued ration cards so far though such an order was issued by this Court almost a year ago, it was pointed out.Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing on behalf of the Central government, submitted that it is for the States/UTs to issue ration cards.The Court then directed that the same be done by the States/UTs within two months.The matter will be heard again on July 16. .Advocate Prashant Bhushan appeared for the petitioners.Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati appeared for the respondents..[Read order]