Tue Nov 26 19:52:00 UTC 2024: ## Supreme Court Distinguishes Pandemic Ration Aid from “Freebie” Politics
**New Delhi, November 27, 2024** – The Supreme Court on Tuesday drew a distinction between providing emergency food rations to migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and the broader issue of distributing “freebies.” The court was hearing petitions, initially filed by activists Anjali Bhardwaj, Harsh Mander, and Jagdeep Chhokar, and later taken up suo motu, seeking ration cards for migrant workers to guarantee food security.
Justice Surya Kant, heading the bench, noted that while providing ration cards, crucial for identity and entitlement, is essential, the distribution of freebies presents different challenges. The court acknowledged the unique circumstances of the pandemic, stating that the COVID-19 period was an exception.
The Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, argued the government adheres to the National Food Security Act of 2013 and provides all statutorily mandated entitlements. He also criticized certain NGOs for not providing on-the-ground assistance during the pandemic, claiming the petitioner NGO was among them.
Conversely, Prashant Bhushan, representing the activists, argued that the government’s data on migrant workers relied on the outdated 2011 census, lacking up-to-date figures. The court has previously issued directives for welfare measures, including issuing ration cards to migrant workers registered on the e-Shram portal. The ongoing debate highlights the complexities of balancing emergency aid with concerns about the long-term implications of “freebie” politics.
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