Contradiction Between High Per Capita Income and High BPL Population: Supreme Court

  • March 20, 2025
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
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Contradiction Between High Per Capita Income and High BPL Population: Supreme Court

Sub : Eco

Sec : National Income

Context:

  • The Supreme Court questioned the contradiction in states claiming high per capita income while having around 70% of their population Below Poverty Line (BPL).
  • The court was hearing petitions seeking ration cards for migrant workers to ensure food security.

Concern Over Distribution of Subsidised Food Grains

  • The court expressed doubts about whether subsidised ration distribution actually reaches the poor.
  • Justice Surya Kant observed that governments use development claims for political mileage, yet poverty remains high.

Growing Inequality in the Country

  • Advocates Prashant Bhushan and Cheryl D’Souza, representing activists, highlighted rising inequality.
  • A small group of people possess wealth in lakhs of crores, while a vast majority survive on ₹30-40 per day.

Political Considerations in Ration Card Issuance

  • The court questioned whether ration card distribution was influenced by political motives.
  • Justice Kant remarked that executive inefficiency and corruption prevent benefits from reaching the poor.

Fundamental Right to Food Security

  • The Supreme Court asserted that access to food is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution.
  • The poor must have the right to at least two square meals a day.

Government’s Obligation Under the National Food Security Act

  • Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati stated that:
    • The National Food Security Act (NFSA) covers 35% of the population.
    • Additional provisions exist for 11 crore people under the Anganwadi scheme.
    • Another 22 crore people receive coverage under different programs.

Impact of COVID-19 on Employment and Food Security

  • Bhushan argued that the pandemic worsened unemployment, increasing dependence on food security.
  • He emphasized the need for states to distribute ration cards to migrants so that the Centre can release ration.
  • Delays in food distribution could amount to a violation of Article 21 and discrimination.

Delay in Implementation of Supreme Court’s Previous Orders

  • The Supreme Court had ordered in April 2023 that ration cards be issued to 8 crore migrant workers registered on the e-Shram portal.
  • The Centre reported:
    • 6 crore total registrants on the e-Shram portal.
    • 63 crore were linked with ration card data.
  • Bhushan contended that over 10 crore workers might still be excluded due to outdated Census 2011 data.

Welfare State’s Responsibility

  • The court stressed that a welfare state must ensure all migrant workers are included in ration distribution.
  • It emphasized the urgency of implementing food security measures for all eligible individuals.
Contradiction Between High Per Capita Income and High BPL Population: Supreme Court economy