BHAVNA SEVA SANGH Vs. STATE OF GUJARAT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This petition filed in the nature of public interest litigation calls in question the legality of Government Resolution dated 23rd April 2010, by which the State Government intends to makes certain changes for issuance of ration cards and for distribution of food-grains through fair-price shops.

(2.) Petitioner is a public trust registered under the Bombay Public Trust Act. The petitioner claims to be working for the betterment of poor and downtrodden classes of the society.

(3.) In the impugned resolution dated 23rd April 2010, it is stated that :- Validity of the period of ration cards issued to various beneficiaries of public distribution system has come to an end. Proposal for issuance of new computerized ration cards with bar code replacing the old ration cards was under consideration of the Government. Proposal for including photographs and finger prints of at least one member of the family in the card and to computerize such details to make the public distribution system more efficient and effective was also under consideration of the Government. Thus in future to computerize the public distribution system, it was necessary to replace the old ration cards by new cards. Objects: To collect date of individuals and family details. To ensure that beneficiaries receive ration cards of appropriate categories, To ensure that bogus and fictitious ration cards are eliminated. To ensure that with the aid of modern technology, food-grains and kerosene are made available to proper beneficiaries. With the above objects and purpose in mind, the Government resolved to undertake the task of preparing and issuing new ration cards of different colours for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Above Poverty Line (APL) beneficiaries card holders. The existing card holders are required to apply for new ration card with bar code for which a form is also prepared. Necessary instructions for filling up such form are also contained therein. The office of the Director of Food and Civil Supplies has to undertake the task of form distribution, imparting training for filling up the form, carrying out the work of data entry after the forms are filled up, to obtain photographs and finger prints at the local level and for preparation of new ration cards.