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Expressing dissatisfaction with the State Government's submission that that it has already covered 80% of the population under the targeted public distribution system (PDS), the Orissa High Court this week observed,
"There cannot be any persons belonging to vulnerable categories in Odisha who are left out of either the NFSA (National Food Security Act) or the SFSS (State Food Security Scheme). A constant endeavor must be made to increase the coverage with every passing month."
The division bench of Chief Justice S. Muralidhar and Justice B. P. Routray said, "It is not sufficient to state that the government has already covered 80 percent of the population under the PDS."
WHAT WAS THE MATTER BEFORE THE COURT ?
The Court was hearing the plea of a social activist, Prafulla Samantara's who sought special intervention by way of food security measures and food security measures and foodgrains to non-ration cardholders in view of Covid-19 pandemic.
The State Government submitted before the Court that the Government of Odisha had introduced its own State Food Security Scheme (SFSS) from October 2018 onwards to cover the left out eligible non-cardholders, who were earlier outside the ambit of the NFSA (National Food Security Act).In was further submitted that between October 2020, and March 2021, the actual number of persons covered under the SFSS had increased by 56,000 and it was also informed that a large number of people were still left out from the ambit of either the NFSA or the SFSS.
Whether those belonging to BPL and other vulnerable groups have been specifically targeted and included under the SFSS irrespective of whether they are located in an urban or a rural area, and, Whether each such person has a ration card or other documents which enables such person to approach a fair price shop or any other distribution center to avail the rations.
The affidavit has been directed to be filed on or before 17th May, 2021 and the matter has been posted for further hearing on 20th May.
Case title - Prafulla Samantara v. State of Odisha [W.P.(C) No.16579 of 2020]
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