HC asks govt to create awareness on e-KYC for ration cardholders
2
Cuttack: Orissa high court has directed the state govt to ensure a wide awareness campaign about the Aadhaar based e-KYC requirement to avail supply of essential commodities under the public distribution system (PDS).
The HC issued the direction on Wednesday after it found the claim made in a PIL that the state govt had suspended ration supply to beneficiaries who had not completed Aadhaar-based e-KYC was "factually" incorrect.
The PIL, filed by Dr Bikash Das, had sought judicial intervention against the purported decision to withhold rations from July onwards for nearly 20.58 lakh cardholders who had not completed the mandatory e-KYC process.
The petitioner also urged the court to direct the govt to publish a list of such beneficiaries and extend the e-KYC deadline.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M S Raman observed that the petitioner's claims were based on a media report which lacked factual basis. "The grievance that the govt has decided to suspend the supply of essential commodities to the downtrodden sections does not appear to be factually correct," the bench noted.
Additional govt advocate Saswat Das submitted that over 96 lakh families — comprising more than 3.25 crore individuals — were receiving rations under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and the State Food Security Scheme (SFSS). Ration distribution for July and Aug had already been completed, and that for Sept and Oct began on Aug 1.
The court took note of the govt's assurance that ration cards of beneficiaries who hadn't completed e-KYC had neither been cancelled nor suspended.
"It is inconceivable that there would be any disruption in supply of commodities under the NFSA," the court remarked, adding that the state must ensure uninterrupted access to essential food items.
However, the bench agreed with the petitioner's concern regarding lack of awareness about the e-KYC process. It directed the govt to take proactive measures, including pasting notices at fair price shops, setting up help infrastructure at shops, and ensuring digital and physical means to complete the process. "The govt shall fix a timeline for completing e-KYC, which may be extended depending on circumstances," the court said.
Disposing of the PIL, the court reiterated that no beneficiary should suffer due to procedural or technical lapses and stressed the importance of a continuous and inclusive supply system under welfare schemes.
Stay updated with the latest local news from your
city
on
Times of India
(TOI). Check upcoming
bank holidays
,
public holidays
, and current
gold rates
and
silver prices
in your area.
Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with
Raksha Bandhan wishes
,
messages
and
quotes
!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar directs police to stop cow vigilantes from harassing livestock transporters
Mumbai: Maharashtra deputy chief minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar instructed the police authorities to stop self-proclaimed cow vigilantes from checking livestock vehicles and harassing transporters and those involved in the livestock business. Political observers said Pawar's decision might trigger a clash between Mahayuti partners, NCP and BJP, as he is backing the Qureshi community on transporting livestock, which may not go down well with BJP or some of its frontal organisations that are backing cow vigilantes. Pawar gave these instructions after a meeting with a delegation of the Qureshi community, where director general of police (DGP) Rashmi Shukla, Mumbai police commissioner (CP) Deven Bharti, and other officials were present. Officials said the deputy CM instructed Shukla to issue a circular to this effect. Ajit Pawar said that the district police should be given instructions through the circular that no private person has the right to inspect vehicles transporting animals. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai The Qureshi community complained to Ajit Pawar that under the cover of the so-called cow slaughter ban laws, trucks transporting buffaloes and cattle were being stopped by cow vigilantes who were demanding money forcibly. The Qureshi community also demanded a ban on illegal cow vigilantes, protection for legally permitted animal transport, withdrawal of false cases filed, and relaxation of restrictions on animal transport. "The Qureshi community is traditionally associated with the meat trade and is part of the agriculture-based economy of Maharashtra. No injustice will be allowed to be done to traders from this community and farmers who transport animals," DCM Pawar's office said in a statement. The delegation of the Qureshi community informed Ajit Pawar about the harassment by illegal cow vigilantes in a memorandum. "Many people have lost their lives due to violent acts by cow vigilantes against traders from the Qureshi community and farmers transporting legally permitted animals. This has forced the community to go on strike since June - the farmers are also facing difficulties as there are no buyers for their cattle. The ban on cow slaughter in 2015 also affected the transport of buffaloes, which is legally permitted," the memorandum stated. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Orissa HC asks state to appoint authority to make Cow Slaughter Act workable
Expressing concern over illegal cow slaughter across the state, a division bench of the Orissa high court has said that the Odisha Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1960 can not be a dead letter and the government needs to appoint a competent authority to implement the same. The Orissa high court 'The Act which was promulgated as far back as in the year 1960 cannot be a dead letter nor be put in cold storage taking into account the above objects and purpose behind the said Legislation,' noted chief justice Harish Tandon and justice Murahari Sri Raman while hearing a PIL filed by Gau Gyan Foundation. 'In accordance with the provision under Section 3(1)(b) of the Act of 1960, a person is required to obtain a certificate in writing from a competent authority, where a bull or bullock is to be slaughtered. The 'competent authority' is defined in the Act of 1960 as the person appointed in this behalf by the Government by a notification to exercise the powers and perform the functions of a competent authority under the Act or the rules made thereunder. The 'competent authority' prescribed under Section 2(a) of the 1960 Act has not been appointed, thereby rendering a number of provisions of the legislation unworkable. The State Government cannot shrug its responsibility in appointing the competent authority under the said Act and, therefore the State Government should appoint the competent authority within three weeks,' the bench said. In December last year, two private member Bills proposing a ban on the possession and transport of beef and with punishment of three to 10 years were moved in the Odisha Assembly. For the punishment of cow slaughter, the Bills suggested a jail term of 10 years besides a ₹5 lakh fine. The bills recommend establishing special courts for speedy trials and empowering police officers (sub-inspector rank and above)
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Are Chinese Spies Hiding In UK Universities? Students Allegedly Forced To Spy, Says Report
In a shocking twist, the investigation of UK-China Transparency (UKCT) has reportedly revealed that Chinese students pursuing their studies in the United Kingdom (UK) are being pressurized to gather intelligence on academic discussions, campus events, and classmates. According to the report, the pressure is coming from Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials and police. According to news agency ANI, a report cited by Breitbart London stated that British universities are being 'infiltrated by Chinese students' who allegedly acted as spies for the CCP. UKCT's investigation surveyed academics in Chinese studies programmes across Britain. UKCT singled out the support networks for Chinese students, Chinese Students and Scholars Associations (CSSAs), for Chinese students, but have been repeatedly accused of acting as extensions of the CCP. According to Breitbart London, one British academic described CSSAs as "the primary source of student spies on campus," noting their "constant connections with local consulates." Meanwhile, a scholar informed UKCT that Chinese students admitted that "surveillance is omnipresent" and that several students are questioned by authorities in China upon returning. On the other hand, one academic told UKCT that university management blocked them from pursuing politically sensitive research, warning it could jeopardise funding due to the reliance on tuition fees from Chinese students, which is often subsidised by CCP scholarships. It is also alleged in the report that Chinese diplomats and CCP-linked operatives have interfered with UK-based Chinese students. Furthermore, they have even influenced China-related academic programmes. Breitbart London reported that in certain cases, universities have also allegedly closed down research projects following pressure from the Chinese government directly. Why Surveillance in UK Universities? The report also warned that such tactics could be designed to shut down debate on issues pertaining to China, including human rights issues in Hong Kong and Tibet, to scrutiny over China's handling of the coronavirus outbreak. British universities have allegedly also received large sums of money from CCP-linked entities, including the controversial Confucius Institutes. According to Breitbart London, some UK universities have also been accused of collaborating with Chinese researchers on weapons-related projects, prompting MI6 to investigate hundreds of British academics.
