[COVID-19] Continue providing food and ration benefits to persons with no ration cards: Karnataka HC to state government

The Karnataka High Court recently directed the state government to continue providing food and other ration benefits to all persons who were not holding ration cards amid the COVID-19 pandemic..The Court further asked Additional Solicitor General MB Nargund to supply a copy of the Central government notification/order extending the facility for those not having ration cards under the Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Anna Yojana Scheme..The Division Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Aravind Kumar passed these directions while dealing with a batch of pleas pertaining to various issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Other issues pertaining to food security of persons in containment zones, mid-day meal scheme, and Pourakarmikas, among others, were also discussed during the hearing..Food security Advocate Clifton D'Rozario brought up the issue food security in containment zones. It was informed that the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) had sent a list of 900 families in containment zones to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The Court directed BBMP to look into the grievances of these families. .Nutritious food and Mid-day meals.The Bench was further informed that as anganawadis were closed, pregnant/lactating women and minor children were finding it difficult to get nutritious food. In this regard, the Court asked the state government what steps it had taken to better the existing situation and also, to place on record the up-to-date information regarding supply of food to anganawadi beneficiaries. .The Court also opined that the issue of mid-day meal scheme had to be considered by the state, as schools were closed during the Unlock phase..Pourakarmikas (Sanitation workers).Another issue pointed out was the poor health of Pourakarmikas . During the hearing, the Bench was informed that 23 Pourakarmikas working within BBMP limits had been tested positive for COVID-19. On this issue, the state was asked to inform the Court on the measures it had taken for the safety and protection of Pourakarmikas. .The matter has been next posted for hearing on July 13.