Enrolment To Aadhaar Mandatory For Availing Food-grains Under NFSA Is Unconstitutional: PIL In Delhi HC

A PIL has been filed in Delhi High Court seeking directions to quash Government Circular which make possession of or enrollment to Aadhaar mandatory for accessing subsidized foodgrains under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) as unconstitutional. 

The PIL filed by Delhi Rozi-Roti Adhikar Abhiyan sought directions to ensure that the issue of denial of access to food grains and other key resources on the basis of non-availability of Aadhaar are immediately redressed during the time of this crisis.

The petitioner states that “…various food programs under the NFSA are the only life-line for large number of persons and families in Delhi and therefore, it is crucial that these work properly to ensure that every person is able to access the fundamental right to food.”

The petition filed by Advocate Apar Gupta and Advocate Prasanna S, also sought directions for the continued availability of mid-day meals under the NFSA be continued to be provided to the children so that their right to adequate nutrition is not affected during the present crisis due to outbreak of pandemic COVID-19.

The petition has also sought directions to provide the information related to Ration shops in the public domain on the website of the food department to ensure transparency and accountability, like:

1. List of ration shops in Delhi, their phone number, address and GPS location;
2. Ration shop wise list of all ration card holders and other information related to them;
3. Shop wise details of stock position in real time or at the end of each day; and
4. Shop wise detail of sale.