Hearing on plea claiming unconstitutionality of mandatory enrollment to Aadhar for availing subsidised food grains begins before the Delhi HC

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Senior Advocate Sanjay Parikh shall be appearing for the Petitioner NGO - Delhi Rozi Roti Andolan

The matter is being taken up by Division Bench - 1

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Petitioner argues that the Delhi Govt has not complied with certain provisions of the National Food Security Act. The govt has not even established Grievance Redressal Comm. to ensure accountability

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UIDAI submits that problem is not absence of Aadhar cards with persons in need. The problem lies with the state govt not issuing ration cards even to those who have the Aadhar cards

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Delhi Govt submits that on April 13 it issued an advisory laying out a three-level Grievance Redressal Mechanism. Moreover, helpline numbers and email IDs are setup where people who are facing problems can register complaints

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Delhi Govt submits that it has created a special mechanism to deal with the issue of hunger during the lockdown. Dry ration has is being distributed to persons in need

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Petitioner interjected by pointing out that NFSA talks about Grievance Redressal Committee. However no action has been taken apart from setting up helpline

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Delhi Govt says that right now it's only focused on emergency solutions. It will look into other solutions after the lockdown is over

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Senior Advocate Sanjay Parikh argues that the ground reality shows that the ration shops are either shut or they claim that they ran out of ration

'It's a matter of life and death', Mr Parikh argues

Mr Parikh suggests that Nodal Officers should be appointed in all the zones of Delhi to address the grievances of public

'No one should be left dwelling with hunger', he claims

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Mr Parikh informs the court about the number ration shops that were found to be shut after a survey was conducted on ground. He says that 37% ration shops were found to be shut

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Mr Parikh argues that multiple representations were made to the Delhi Govt regarding this, but till now, no action has been taken. Ration shops do not even have updated information of beneficiaries who are entitled to ration

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Mr Parikh wants Delhi Govt to put the weekly reports on ration shops and information on beneficiaries shall be put in public domain.

'It's a matter concerning Art 21, the govt has to ensure accountability', Mr Parikh claims

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Another concern raised by Mr Parikh is about the distribution of mid day meals in schools. As per the Petitioner, the has been inadequate compliance with this requirement.

'Children and lactating mothers should not suffer due to lack of nutritious food. No one should die of hunger.' - Mr Parikh

Mr Parikh informs the court that many persons have come to the Petitioner NGO claiming that ration shops are shut.

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Mr Parikh wants Delhi to be divided into 4 zones with a Nodal Officer being appointed for each zone to address the grievances of public.

'But it's a long term solution. What can we do immediately to address the issue of hunger', judge asks

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Justice Mridul observes that what is required as of now is to direct the Delhi Govt to ensure that no ration shop is shut and food is adequately distributed during the lockdown period

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Justice Mridul points out that Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal said it on record that the buck stops at him. He also said that 1 crore people are being fed in Delhi every day.

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Mr Parikh says that all he wants is that the figures and information about action taken by Delhi Govt should be made public

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Delhi Govt says that responsibility has been given to DMs to ensure that fair price shops are open and ration is being adequately distributed to beneficiaries

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Delhi Govt informs the court that Google Forms are sent to fair price shops to take daily stock of availablity of ration

'We can submit an affidavit stating the steps that we've taken', Delhi Govt claims.

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Delhi Govt submits that there are 'Hunger Relief Centres' which are catering to not just students who are entitled to mid day meals, but also to their parents

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Delhi Govt submits that Hunger Relief Centres are being set up within 200 metres of every residential area. Currently, they're feeding around 10 lakh people every day

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For those who do not have ration cards, Delhi Govt submits, coupons are being distributed to them to avail food from such Hunger Relief Centres

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Delhi HC issues notice to Delhi Govt and asks it file reply within 3 days. Meanwhile, Delhi Govt is directed to ensure that all ration shops are open and disbursing PDS grains to those who are entitled

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Delhi HC directs Delhi Govt to monitor the functioning of ration shops through SDM, and upload the data about disbursement of ration at the end of each day

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Delhi Govt is further directed to publicise the helpline numbers both in print and electronic media on daily basis

Delhi Govt also has to upload grievance helpline numbers on its website so that affected persons can reach out to officers who are duty bound to address such grievances

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'At this time the attempt is to made sure that no one goes hungry', Justice Mridul notes

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The matter will next be taken up on May 6

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