The Supreme Court (SC), on Tuesday, directed states, union territories to implement the ‘one nation, one ration card’ scheme till July 31. The court was hearing a plea seeking extension of welfare schemes to migrant workers in light of COVID-19 restrictions.

The apex court asked the Centre to develop a portal in consultation with NIC to register unorganised and migrant workers and complete the portal and commence the process not later than July 31, 2021. 

Issuing a slew of directions to Centre and state governments relating to the welfare of migrant workers due to COVID-19, the court directed state governments to provide dry ration and continue the community kitchens for migrant workers till the pandemic continues.

The Supreme Court was hearing a plea seeking food security, cash transfers and other such benefits to workers who have been hit hard due to the curbs imposed during the ongoing pandemic.

Most states have implemented the scheme: Centre to SC

A bench of justices Ashok Bhushan and M R Shah had reserved its judgement on pleas filed by activists Anjali Bharadwaj, Harsh Mander and Jagdeep Chhokar. 

The top court had, while reserving the order on June 11, directed the Centre and states to implement the one nation one ration card scheme. The court had also taken note of the delay in developing the software meant to register workers to avail the benefit of free food grain.

In its response to the plea, the Centre had told the top court that while most states have implemented the one nation one ration card scheme, four states, namely – Assam, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and West Bengal – had not implemented the scheme.