Delhi HC strikes down AAP govt’s doorstep ration delivery scheme

The Delhi High Court on Thursday (May 19) set aside the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government’s doorstep ration delivery scheme, Mukhymantri Ghar Ghar Ration Yojna, stating that it cannot use grains provided by the Centre for this scheme.

The high court allowed two petitions filed by ration dealers challenging the scheme.

Also read: In Delhi encore, AAP govt launches doorstep ration delivery in Punjab

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Jasmeet Singh said the Delhi government is free to bring in another doorstep delivery scheme but it cannot use grains provided by the Centre for this doorstep scheme.

The high court had on January 10 reserved its order on the pleas by petitioners Delhi Sarkari Ration Dealers Sangh (DSRDS) and Delhi Ration Dealers Union (DRDU) after holding extensive hearings.

In January, the DSRDS told the court that the scheme fell foul of the law, including the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

“The state government does not have the power to make any such scheme without the concurrence of the L-G (Delhi lieutenant governor) and the central government,” the DSRDS argued.

It also said that any notification pertaining to the food security law has to be mandatorily published under the signature of the L-G.

(With inputs from Agencies)