Thread by @barandbench

#SupremeCourt is hearing the plea concerning supply of dry ration to sex workers

Amicus Curiae Pijush K Roy: State of West Bengal has not done anything. They have only issue Khado Shaathi card

Adv Raghenth Basant appears for WB: we identified a total of sex workers

Justice Rao: we dont think the number is correct. Other states have 80k to 90k

Basant: 6,227 sex workers have been identified. If someone does not have a ration card they can use this Khaddo shathi coupons.

Justice Rao: what is the basis of this identification of 6,227

Basant: we have gone by NACO list and we have officers on the ground

SC: We had directed the states to complete issuance of ration cards to sex workers. states were asked to take aid of NGOs and the data had to be later verified by DLSA.

SC: Barring a few states, most have submitted the status reports. Amicus says directions of Jan 2022 was not complied by WB as identification of sex workers was not done properly.

SC: WB has given sex workers khadya shathi food coupons which entitle them for 5 kg foodgrains. Looking at the numbers in other states, we are not sure of the 6227 numbers as given by WB.

SC: We direct the sex workers to be identified again in WB with help of NACO And issue them ration cards without insisting on any other identity card.

Amicus submits that in this regard Tripura has issued ration cards to all sex workers

SC: There ae people who don't want to be identified as sex workers. They don't want their names to be known. Continue giving ration without insisting on identity

SC: having the dealt with status reports by WB and Maharashtra it's not necessary to take up status report of each state separately.
We direct all states to continue the process of identification of sex workers and do not deprive them of ration.

SC: Figures in status reports is not realistic and state govt has to take help of community based organisations. Apart from ration cards, the states will also issue voter cards tk sex workers identified by NACO and community based organisations

SC: in the meantime supply of dry ration to continue without insisting on identity cards. List after 4 weeks. #dryration #supremecourt

SC: ASGs have been changing but the is no progress in the bill.. what's happening in parliament?

ASG Sood: I will find out #SupremeCourt