The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought the response from the Delhi Government in a PIL seeking distribution and complete utilization of food grains and dry ration kits purchased under the ‘Mukhya Mantri Corona Sahayata Yojana’ to the needy and eligible people.
“There should be minimum wastage and maximum distribution to needy and poor persons,” observed the bench of Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh, while issuing notice upon the Delhi Government and the Central govt.
The court directed the Delhi Government to file an affidavit, keeping in mind the allegations and the prayers, stating what good work has been done by the Government, what could be the possible errors/loopholes followed by any other additional averments.
Santosh Kumar Tripathi, standing counsel for the Delhi Government, raised objection on the ground that the petition does not indicate as to where food grains alleged to be getting wasted or rotten are lying.
The matter will be heard next on Aug 23’2021.
The petition is filed by the NGO Sampurna through Advocate Prashant Rawat alleging that under the ‘Mukhya Mantri Corona Sahayata Yojana’, the Delhi Government purchased dry ration kits and food grains in huge volume during March-April’ 2020, without having any rational data and analysis. It is further alleged that all the food grains/dry ration kits that were purchased have not been distributed amongst the Non-PDS strata and that the said goods are lying in storage and are thereby, getting spoiled or wasted.
The plea states thus: “That one of the SDMC School had informed that all the ration including the kits stocked in the school, is getting spoiled in the storage instead of distribution amongst the needy. It is submitted that in the similar manner ration & the kits are being spoiled due to the negligence of the Respondent no.1 (Delhi Government) at different places/schools in Delhi.”
In light of the above, the plea seeks distribution and complete utilization of food grains and dry ration kits purchased under the said scheme and a direction to the Delhi Government to ensure that no food grain and ration items get wasted or spoiled lying at storage.
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The plea seeks a further direction for framing of strict and clear guidelines to regulate the distribution of food grains and dry ration kits o the needy persons. Also, the plea prays for a strict action against the Officers responsible for misappropriation of fund and for negligent act leading to wastage of food grains.
Furthermore, the plea prays for a direction to the Centre to frame guidelines and a monitoring system to ensure that no food grains go wasted under the PDS & Non-PDS Distribution System