Give dry rations to sex workers, without insisting on ration cards: SC directs states, UTs

The Supreme Court of India today directed all State Governments and Union Territories to provide dry rations to sex workers, without insisting on ration cards.

The order came in a case filed by Budhadev Karmaskar in 2010. On October 28, 2020, the Court had passed an order stating that it is difficult for sex workers to produce proof of identity and the data provided by National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) and District Legal Services Authority would be sufficient for them to claim distribution of dry rations. A direction was given to the State Governments and the Union Territories to ensure distribution of minimum quantity of dry ration to sex workers who have been identified by NACO. The State Governments and Union Territories were directed to take the assistance of District State Legal Services Authorities for identifying all genuine sex workers who would be entitled for dry ration.

The Court was informed by Anand Grover, appearing for the respondents--State of West Bengal and others, that except West Bengal and Maharashtra, the directions of the Court have not been fully complied with.

Jayant Bhushan, the Amicus Curiae submitted that the response on behalf of certain State Governments shows that ration cards are insisted upon for distribution of dry rations. Today’s direction of the Court comes in the light of this information placed be for it.

The Supreme Court constituted a committee on July 19, 2011, to submit its recommendation for rehabilitation of sex workers.

“The Committee after detailed deliberations with all stakeholders submitted a comprehensive report. We were informed by the learned Additional Solicitor General appearing for the Union of India on February 27, 2020 that a group of Ministers have been constituted to examine the draft legislation. Recognising the fact that the criminal appeal has been pending since 2010 and realising the immediate need for the legislation to be brought, this Court recorded the statement of the learned Additional Solicitor General that a draft legislation would be placed before the Parliament at the earliest. A Copy of the draft legislation may be served on the learned Amicus curiae,” the Court observed today.