HC Upholds Order On Targeted PDS

The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Thursday upheld Jammu and Kashmir Targeted Public Distribution System Control Order, 2023 issued vide SO 41, observing that it was aimed at ensuring the proper supply of essential commodities to the general public.

- M Ahmad

Dismissing a batch of petitions filed by fair price shop dealers, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal observed that if achieving the primary objective incidentally results in the generation of employment opportunities, the petitioners cannot invoke employment concerns to defeat the main purpose of S.O. 41.

"We agree with the respondents (government) that the SO 41 is, in fact, an action on the part of the respondents in fulfilling the object/aim of the Article 47 of the Constitution of India," the court said, observing that Article 47 was the guiding lamp showing a way to the Government to tread upon, to achieve the goals of raising the level of nutritional security and improving public health.