HC asks for timeline from govt to comply with PDS order

New Delhi, August 17

The Delhi High Court (HC)  today directed the Delhi government to submit a timeline for complying with the court's last year direction to examine the model rules suggested by the central government on distribution of food by fair price shops and take steps under the provisions of the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao said it was constrained to note that despite the September 1 order, the AAP government has not complied with the directions and the provisions of NFSA have not been put into place.

It said that except for certain interim arrangements, no permanent solution, in conformity with the requirement of the statute, has been put in place.

The bench granted two weeks to the Delhi government to bring on record the timeline and schedule by when its order and statutory provisions of the NFSA will be complied with.

"We feel what needs to have been done, has not been done," the bench said and listed the matter for further hearing on September 13.

The HC in its September last year order had directed the government to examine the Model Rules suggested by the Centre and take steps in accordance with the provisions of the NFSA 2013 in four weeks.

The court was hearing a petition by an NGO, Delhi Rozi Roti Adhikar Abhiyan, which sought disbursal of subsidised foodgrains to the beneficiaries under the national food security act (NFSA) without Aadhaar.

The NGO had moved the court claiming that some slum dwellers in south Delhi were facing difficulties in getting subsidised foodgrains under the PDS due to lack of Aadhaar cards.

‘Signature Bridge to be completed by Oct’

The HC was informed today that the long-delayed Signature Bridge across the Yamuna would be completed by October after which trial will be conducted.

The same bench asked the authorities to file a status report while fixing the matter for November 14.

"List the matter in second week of November to enable the respondents (authorities) to complete the project and do the trial and file a report," the bench said.

The court was informed by the counsel for the Public Works Department (PWD) that the project will be completed by October and trial run will be conducted thereafter. — PTI