Govt must ensure foodgrains reach the last man: SC

One-liner: It is our culture to ensure nobody goes to sleep empty stomach, the SC said on Tuesday and asked the central govt to see to it that foodgrains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) reach the last man. 

Direction to Centre: A bench directed the Centre to submit a fresh chart with the number of migrant and unorganised sector workers registered on eShram portal.

What the bench said: "It is the duty of the central govt 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 continues," the bench said.

Plight of migrants: It was hearing on its own a public interest matter related to the plight of migrant workers during the Covid pandemic and the resultant lockdowns.

Number of beneficiaries up: 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 submitted many eligible and needy beneficiaries will be deprived of the benefit under the law if it is not enforced effectively

India slipped rapidly: Bhushan said the govt is claiming the per capita income of people has increased in recent years, but added India has slipped rapidly in the global hunger index.

Very large number in Indian context: Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, submitted there are 81.35 crore beneficiaries under NFSA, a very large number even in the Indian context.

Bottom line: The Act provides for coverage of up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population for receiving subsidised foodgrains under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).

Source: PTI