Distribution of essential commodities HC issues notice to State on PIL by HRA
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 24 2020:
Acting on a PIL filed by the Human Rights Alert (HRA) seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus to the respondents (State Government and four others) to ensure proper distribution of essential commodities, the High Court of Manipur has issued a notice to the respondents returnable on May 4 .
The PIL said that distribution of essential commodities has not been properly monitored and relief items have not been adequately distributed with some of the poor, students, children, informal sector workers, non-card holders of NFSA and economically weaker sections left out of the distribution.
After perusing the PIL, a Double Bench of the High Court comprising of Justice Lanusungkum Jamir and Justice Kh Nobin Singh observed that the Chief Minister's announcement that the State quota of PDS rice for three months should be distributed considering the hardship faced by the people due to the ongoing lockdown is highly commendable but mere announcement of a policy decision is not enough and it should be accompanied by norms/guidelines for effective implementation of the same.
Such guidelines must contain details as to how, where and when the PDS items shall be distributed and it should also specify who should distribute them.
After hearing the PIL, the High Court questioned who is authorised to distribute the PDS items including rice and whether the PDS rice has been distributed to all in equal quantity.
The Court further asked if there is any mechanism to regulate and monitor distribution of PDS items like rice.
The High Court then issued a notice to the respondents returnable on May 4 .
The Court also made it clear that mere averment made in affidavit shall not be accepted unless the same is based on documents or records, maintained by the State Government, copies of which shall be annexed to the affidavit.