Delhi High Court
Nayee Soch Society (Regd.) vs Ajay Kumar Bhalla & Ors on 28 August, 2020
$~16
* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
% Judgment delivered on: 28th August, 2020
+ CONT.CAS(C) 250/2020
NAYEE SOCH SOCIETY (REGD.) ..... Petitioner
versus
AJAY KUMAR BHALLA & ORS ..... Respondents
Advocates who appeared in this case:
For the Petitioner: Mr. M.K. Gahlaut, Advocate
For the Respondents: Mr. Sanjay Jain, ASG with Mr. Anuj Aggarwal, ASC GNCTD
for UOI with Mr. Ashray Jain, Mr. Shikhar Sheel and Mr. Ankit
Monga, Advocates, GNCTD
CORAM:-
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJEEV SACHDEVA
JUDGMENT
SANJEEV SACHDEVA, J.
1. The hearing was conducted through video conferencing.
2. Petitioner by this petition seeks initiation of proceedings against the
respondents for alleged breach of order dated 24.04.2020 passed in W.P.
(C) No. 2988/2020, titled "Nayee Soch Society (Regd.) Vs. Ministry of
Home Affairs &Ors.".
3. By order dated 24.04.2020, the Division Bench of this Court had
noted the contentions of the respondents that they were making ration
available easily to the persons who are eligible to get ration on the basis of
their Aadhar Cards, Voter ID Cards, etc. from the nearest available Fair
Price Shops.
Signature Not Verified
MAGGU
Signing Date:28.08.2020 19:08:36
This file is digitally signed by PS
to HMJ Sanjeev Sachdeva.
4. The Division Bench by the said order asked the respondents to look
into the issue and to simplify the procedure of getting ration instead of
going on the website by the poor and needy people and directed that if any
change in the policy was taken, then procedure should be simplified by the
respondents looking into the needs of the people at large and in case any
change in the procedure was made, the same would be notified and
informed to all Fair Price Shop owners.
5. Response affidavit had been filed by the respondents placing on
record that procedure has been simplified and food security coverage has
been provided to the person in need of food but not in possession of ration
card.
6. Detailed affidavit has been filed explaining the procedure of
applying of relief benefits and states that the procedure has been simplified
and is accessible to all sitting in the comfort of their homes to avoid
physical movements to tender their application and persons with ration
cards and without ration cards could apply and obtain free ration through
public distribution system based on their Aadhar Cards and the entire
process was based on self-certification and further trust was placed on
individuals of their need to avail food during the time of crises and there
was no exclusion criteria except for the existing ration card holders who
could avail of free ration based on their ration cards.
7. Respondents have also placed on record report with regard to free
meals served during the said period to over 8 lakh people. It is stated in the
affidavit that wherever any call was received for requirement of food, same
was duly responded to by the officers of the respondents and several steps
Signature Not Verified
MAGGU
Signing Date:28.08.2020 19:08:36
This file is digitally signed by PS
to HMJ Sanjeev Sachdeva.
were taken for providing dry ration and also free meals through the public
distribution system as well as other methods.
8. Respondent has also placed on record the material to show that free
ration was distributed and was even provided to individuals who had
physically approached the distribution centres.
9. Detailed procedure has been enlisted by the respondents in their
reply affidavit as also in the supplementary affidavit filed by the respondent
no. 2 showing the procedure as also the actual distribution of dry ration to
non-PDS card holders through various schemes.
10. In view of the reply affidavit and counter affidavit filed by the
respondents, I am of the view that no contempt is made out of order dated
24.04.2020 and further no ground is made out for taking any action against
the respondents.
11. I find no merit in the petition. The petition is accordingly dismissed.
12. Copy of the order be uploaded on the High Court website and be
also forwarded to learned counsels through email.
SANJEEV SACHDEVA, J
AUGUST 28, 2020
'rs'
Signature Not Verified
MAGGU
Signing Date:28.08.2020 19:08:36
This file is digitally signed by PS
to HMJ Sanjeev Sachdeva.
