Shimla: Nepalese, mainly working as laborers in Himachal, got a reprieve from the High Court, with judges directed Kullu district controller of food civil supplies and consumer affair to issue 6 month provisional ration cards to these migrant labourers and ensure that all essential articles are supplied to them.
Division bench of Chief Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice Rajiv Sharma passed these orders on a petition filed by Mool Pravah Akhil Bharat Nepal Ekta Samaj, Kullu about issuing of directions to the government for supplying of ration cards to Nepalese residing in Kullu for a long time for purchase of essential commodities from fair price shops.
The district food civil supply controller had in his reply submitted that there was no provision in HP Specified Articles (Regulation of Distribution) Order, 2003 to issue permanent ration cards to such persons.
However, he pointed out to the court that under its Clause 10(4), temporary ration cards could be issued to those persons, who had no fixed or identifiable place of dwelling on payment of required fee, but this ration card could be used only for drawing kerosene oil where such person was temporarily residing.
He had also let the court know that the state government had sought clarification from the union government five years ago but had not received any response so far.
The court directed the union government to clarify the matter in two months.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.
