SUMMARY OF SUPREME COURT ORDER 
Order of 2 May 2003 

A significant order was passed on May 2, 2003 by the supreme court in PUCL Vs UoI and Ors. For the full text of the order, please click here 

I. Direction pertaining to doubling of employment creation: 

The Supreme Court has directed the Government of India to double the resource allocation (both grain and cash) for the Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) for the months of May, June and July. The relevant portion of the order is copied below: 

“…we direct that on pro rata basis, the recommendation that present SGRY scheme should be expanded at least doubled be implemented, both in regard to allocation of food-grain as also cash, for the months of May, June and July. The State Government shall lift those allocations and ensure that the same reach those for whom it is meant.” 

II. Summary of other important directions: 

• Famine codes will be binding in the months of May, June and July. However, if better measures are incorporated in other schemes, these may be implemented instead.
• Government of India to clarify its response to the Abhijit Sen Committee report by August 8, 2003. 
• Government of India has to evolve a system of ensuring that all poor families are identified as BPL. 
• Licenses of ration shop dealers to be cancelled if they (i) do not open on time, (ii) overcharge, (iii) retain ration cards, (iv) make false entries in BPL cards, or (v) engage in black marketing. 
• BPL households are to be permitted to buy grain in instalments. 
• The following groups to be given Antyodaya cards: 

(1) Aged, infirm, disabled, destitute men and women, pregnant and lactating destitute women; 
(2) widows and other single women with no regular support; 
(3) old persons (aged 60 or above) with no regular support and no assured means of subsistence; 
(4) households with a disabled adult and no assured means of subsistence; 
(5) households where due to old age, lack of physical or mental fitness, social customs, need to care for a disabled, or other reasons, no adult member is available to engage in gainful employment outside the house; and 
(6) primitive tribes. 

States that have not implemented the order on mid-day meal scheme to immediately start providing mid-day meals in at least 25 % of the districts (with priority to poorest districts).