Skip to main content

Disappointed, dismayed at lack of Delhi govt effort to distribute ration to all: High Court

By A Representative
The Delhi High Court bench comprising Justices Siddharth Mridul and Talwant Singh., hearing a petition filed by the Delhi Rozi Roti Adhikar Abhiyaan (DRRAA), regarding ensuring access to ration during the Covid-19 lockdown, has said that it is “disappointed” and “dismayed” at lack of compliance with its direction on distributing ration for all.
The High Court observation follows directions it gave during earlier two hearings (April 27 and May 6) regarding distribution of foodgrains during the lockdown, asking the Delhi government to ensure that all ration shops disbursing foodgrains are open during working hours from 9 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to7 pm on all seven days, and that foodgrains are also distributed to the poor, needy and marginalized non-public distribution system (PDS) residents.
It also asked the state government to monitor the distribution of foodgrains through the concerned sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) of each district and upload the details of shop-wise disbursement of ration at the end of each day, and publicizing the compliance to its directions in the print and electronic media on a daily basis.
Asking the state government to “immediately place” on its website grievance helpline numbers, the High Court had futher said, it should also install complaint boxes at all the ration shops and non-PDS distribution centres.
During the hearing on May 18, DRRAA, represented through advocates Sanjay Parikh and Prasanna S, said that the system adopted by the government of issuing e-coupons to those who do not have ration cards was inaccessible to the most vulnerable, as it required a smart phone. They do not have access to internet, are unable to generate OTP, upload photos of the family and a copy of the aadhaar and finally to download the e-coupon, the court was told.
Further, the advocates said, the complaints helplines numbers (1967 and 1800110841) designated by the Delhi government were “inaccessible”, and that despite the orders of the court, volunteers of DRRAA had found many ration shops shut during working hours. 
In violation of the Delhi High Court’s direction, no details of action taken on complaints was available in the public domain
Meanwhile, it was pointed out, the government was uploading only total number of ration cardholders/ e-coupon holders who had been distributed rations, without disclosing details of who had received, how much rations. “In violation of the court’s direction, no details of action taken on complaints was available in the public domain”, the advocates argued in the court.
The High Court said it was “disappointed and dismayed” as the state government has not complied with its directions. On the issue of ensuring rations for all those who need it, the judges commented that the e-coupon system was not appropriate as it was inaccessible for people.
Questioning how people were expected to access the system, Justice Mridual asked whether the government was providing free public wi-fi all over Delhi. He added, the court didn’t want a single person in Delhi to go hungry, directomg the government to immediately start distributing rations to needy persons.
The Court directed the secretary-cum food commissioner of the Delhi government to file a detailed compliance report regarding its directions of April 27 and May 6 within 4 days. It also directed that the government must immediately start providing grains to all those who need it and has now listed the matter to be heard on May 26.

Comments

TRENDING

Wave of disappearances sparks human rights fears for activists in Delhi

By Harsh Thakor*  A philosophy student from Zakir Hussain College, Delhi University, and an activist associated with Nazariya magazine, Rudra, has been reported missing since the morning of July 19, 2025. This disappearance adds to a growing concern among human rights advocates regarding the escalating number of detentions and disappearances of activists in Delhi.

How community leaders overcome obstacles to protect forests and pastures in remote villages

By Bharat Dogra  Dheera Ram Kapaya grew up in such poverty that, unable to attend school himself, he would carry another boy’s heavy school bag for five kilometers just to get a scoop of daliya (porridge). When he was finally able to attend school, he had to leave after class five to join other adolescent workers. However, as soon as opportunities arose, he involved himself in community efforts—promoting forest protection, adult literacy, and other constructive initiatives. His hidden talent for writing emerged during this time, and he became known for the songs and street play scripts he created to promote forest conservation, discourage child marriages, and support other social reforms.

‘Act of war on agriculture’: Aruna Rodrigues slams GM crop expansion and regulatory apathy

By Rosamma Thomas*  Expressing appreciation to the Union Agriculture Minister for inviting suggestions from farmers and concerned citizens on the sharp decline in cotton crop productivity, Aruna Rodrigues—lead petitioner in the Supreme Court case ongoing since 2005 that seeks a moratorium on genetically modified (GM) crops—wrote to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on July 14, 2025, stating that conflicts of interest have infiltrated India’s regulatory system like a spreading cancer, including within the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR).

The GMO illusion: Three decades of hype, harm, and false hope

By Sridhar Radhakrishnan  Three decades of hype, billions of dollars spent, and still no miracle crop. It's time to abandon the GMO biotech fairy tale and return to the soil, the seed, and the farmer. “Trust us,” they said. “GMOs will feed the world.” Picture a world where there is plenty of food, no hunger, fields grow without chemical pesticides, children are saved from malnutrition, and people live healthily.

Sandra Gonzalez Sanabria: An inspiring life from Colombia’s Amazonian valley

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  In the village of HĂ©ctor RamĂ­rez, known as Agua Bonita, in La Montañita, CaquetĂ¡, Colombia, a vision of peace and renewal is unfolding. In the pre-2016 period, this would have been nearly impossible for outsiders to visit, as it was the epicenter of violent resistance against state oppression. However, after the Peace Accord was signed between the Colombian government and former revolutionaries—marking the end of a 70-year insurgency that claimed over 400,000 lives until 2025, including civilians, rebel fighters, and security personnel—things began to change. Visiting Agua Bonita during the Global Land Forum in BogotĂ¡ revealed a village of hope and resilience. Former FARC revolutionaries have settled here and transformed the village into a center of peace and aspiration.

Overriding India's constitutional sovereignty? Citizens urge PM to reject WHO IHR amendments

By A Representative   A group of concerned Indian citizens, including medical professionals and activists, has sent an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to reject proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) before the ratification deadline of July 19, 2025. 

Indigenous Karen activist calls for global solidarity amid continued struggles in Burma

By A Representative   At the International Festival for People’s Rights and Struggles (IFPRS), Naw Paw Pree, an Indigenous Karen activist from the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), shared her experiences of oppression, resilience, and hope. Organized with the support of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), the event brought together Indigenous and marginalized communities from across the globe, offering a rare safe space for shared learning, solidarity, and expression.

Activists allege abduction and torture by Delhi Police Special Cell in missing person probe

By A Representative   A press statement released today by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) alleges that several student and social activists have been abducted, illegally detained, and subjected to torture by the Delhi Police Special Cell. The CASR claims these actions are linked to an investigation into the disappearance of Vallika Varshri, an editorial team member of 'Nazariya' magazine.

India’s zero-emission, eco-friendly energy strategies have a long way to go, despite impressive progress

By N.S. Venkataraman*   The recent report released by OPEC’s World Oil Outlook 2025 has predicted that by the year 2050, crude oil would replace coal as India’s key energy source. Clearly, OPEC expects that India’s dependence on fossil fuels for energy will continue to remain high in one form or another.