Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday rejected the petition submitted by the Dealer of the Public Distribution System (PDS) which challenged the ‘Duare Ration’ program of the state government.
This paves the way for pilot schemes, targeting 15% beneficiaries in each district.
In Kolkata, 120 dealers took part in the program and sent a ration on the doorway.
Ransum dealers argue in court that state programs contrary to rules that say consumers will collect items from designated PDS stores.
Judge Amrita Sinha, however, was observed: “Procedure rules are Handmaid of theigh.
The substantive rights of consumers for Ransum articles are the highest.” In the order of 20 pages, Judge Sinha deals with changing times and changes in consumer needs.
“The concept of consumers who visited the store for the purchase of rear seat items.
At present only the opposite, the concept of static stores slowly fades for mobile stores.
This is just an extension of a static store, which functions from the address mentioned,” said the judge said.
The court also recorded state government initiatives to facilitate door delivery.
“This scheme has treated a fair shop owner.
The government provides an additional commission to compensate for the cost of sending articles to the doorway.
The government has also decided to provide subsidies for purchasing van delivery,” the order stated.
Quoting the Assessment of the Supreme Court, Sinha Justice added: “This is not in the court domain or within the scope of a judicial review to start investigations whether public policy wise or public policy can be evolved.
In democracy, it is the prerogative of the government selected to follow its own policy .
“among 900 PDS shops in Kolkata, 120 rations delivered at the doorstep in Salt Lake, Amherst Street, Manicktala, Ultadanga, Kalighat, Tollalgunge, and Behala on Wednesday.
Of the 20,286 dealers in the state, 3.011 participated in the pilot round.
Dealers usually get RS commissions 75 per quinta ration.
The same thing has been raised to Rs 150 per quintal for the door delivery of the door, said the food department official and civilian stock.
Duare Ration also reaches less capable bags such as Amlasole in Jhargram, where the State Minister (Civil Food and Supplies) Jyotsna baths itself is here with the food controller of Mithun Das Regency.
In Jharram, 54 dealers participated in this program.
This scheme is expected to benefit all categories of ration card holders.
Bengal has four categories – Anna Anna Yojana (Aay), Priority Households (PHH), Rajya Khadya Surakha Yojana-I (RKSY-I) and RKSY-II (previously above the poverty line category).
Initially, it was decided that only Aay and PHH card holders would be the beneficiary of the Benuardar ration.
The department of food and inventory previously instructed the dealer to divide the beneficiaries under their jurisdiction into 16 clusters and repair a day every week for food delivery.
(With input from happy Khanra in midnapore)