Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. (Photo credit: PTI)
In a major relief for West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee ahead of the panchayat election, the Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Calcutta High Court order on the ‘ Duare Ration ‘ (ration at the doorstep) scheme.
There is now no other legal hurdle for the state government to run this scheme.
The Calcutta High Court had in its order said the ‘Duare Ration’ scheme is ultra vires to the National Food Security Act, 2013, and is legally void.
The state government had approached the apex court after the High Court order.
The Chief Minister had recently said in the assembly that she would not bow down before anyone in order to continue this scheme in the state. Banerjee had said that this scheme was started to provide ration to the people at their doorstep and will continue in the interest of the people.
“If necessary, I will appeal to the court through the assembly so that justice does not weep in silence,” she added.
The TMC government began the “Duare Ration” scheme, which aims at providing food grains at the doorstep for the entire population of the state, ahead of the assembly polls.
Banerjee had after the TMC’s victory in the assembly polls promised that she would deliver ration to the homes of all.
The TMC government’s plan was, however, put on hold post the High Court order.
The state government started the ‘Duare Ration’ scheme from November 16, 2021. The Chief Minister had made a promise in this regard before the 2021 assembly elections. Banerjee after returning to power announced that ration will be delivered from door to door from now on.
A group of ration dealers had filed a petition in the High Court challenging the validity of this scheme
