Why did Telangana government cancel lakhs of white ration cards, enquires High Court

Hyderabad: The High Court directed the Civil Supplies Department Commissioner to ensure that the poor beneficiaries are exempted from the biometric system. Migrant labour from other States, having ration cards in their native state, presently living in our State, should also be provided with free 12 Kgs rice and essentials during this lockdown.

The High Court Division Bench headed by Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice K. Lakshman heard a public interest litigation through video conference addressed by social activist S.Q. Masood. He informed the court that the State government has cancelled a huge number of white ration cards across the State depriving essential food articles to the poor people during this lockdown period. The petitioner further added that the officials are insisting upon the people to show ration cards if they want to avail the free 12 kg rice and other essential articles distributed by the State government during this lockdown period.

The Division Bench further directed the State government to distribute rice and other essentials to the tribals during this lockdown without subjecting them to Biometric machines. Justice M.S. Ramchander Rao opined that these tribals work in extreme conditions and going by their age and other factors, their fingerprints get erased and under these circumstances, insisting upon them to undergo biometric system, will be depriving them of essentials.

Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao questioned the Advocate General as to why the State Government after the proper enquiry has issued white ration cards to the poor people and what made the government to cancel lakhs of white ration cards without putting the beneficiaries on notice without following principles of natural justice.

Advocate General B.S.Prasad informed the bench and assured that all the beneficiaries whose white ration cards were cancelled, will be provided free rice and other essentials without insisting upon them to produce the Ration Cards. For further hearing, the matter has been adjourned to June 2.

Don't stop payment of 1500 for merely not drawing ration for 3 months: HC

The High Court Division Bench comprising Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice K. Lakshman, heard a public interest litigation addressed by Srujana Amaganti from Hyderabad, who was aggrieved by the abrupt decision of the State government in cancelling payment of Rs.1500 one time financial assistance to all the white ration cardholders who did not draw ration for preceding 3 months, i.e., January, February and March 2020.

The Bench opined that the State government cannot stop payment of Rs.1500 as this amount is very tiny to enable the lowest fabric of the society to get on with life during Lockdown. The State Government is obligated to assist the beneficiaries with financial assistance when issued them the white ration cards.

Without following natural justice, the State Government has cancelled 8 lakh white ration cards, depriving them of much needed financial assistance. During this crucial period where lockdown is continuing, if deprived of such financial assistance, the poor will starve, the bench added.

Advocate General Banda Shivananda Prasad informed the bench that the State government has not cancelled the white ration cards as contended by the petitioner and sought time to get a detailed report on this matter. The case has been adjourned to June 2.