Go by latest census in giving PDS foodgrains to BPL:SC to Centre

The Supreme Court today asked the Centre to allocate foodgrains under the public distribution system (PDS) to poor families as per the latest census on BPL families.

A bench headed by Justice T S Thakur questioned the Centre's decision to allocate grains on the basis of 1991 census and asked it to supply foodgrains as per the latest census.

Earlier, a court-appointed panel headed by former Supreme Court judge D P Wadhwa had recommended to the apex court that a large segment of BPL families were kept out from PDS cover as the government followed the 1991 census figures which put the BPL population very low.

It pointed out that with the increase in population, the corresponding increase in BPL category was not accounted for, due to which several BPL families were left high and dry without foodgrains and a ration card.

Questioning the Centre's decision to go by the 1991 census figures, the bench said "the Wadhwa committee has recommended that all persons eligible for subsidy under PDS should get it. If a person qualifies for a ration card, you cannot refuse it on the ground that our quota for a particular state or district is exhausted."