Supreme Court directs states to provide dry rations to sex workers without insisting on identity proof

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered all states and Union Territories to provide dry ration to all sex workers without insisting on a ration card or any other identity proof.

A bench, presided over by Justice L Nageswara Rao, considered the hardships faced by sex workers as they have been rendered almost destitute because of no work during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The court asked each state and Union Territory to file an affidavit within four weeks giving information on the number of sex workers having been provided dry ration.

The bench also asked the Union government to tell if it can extend the financial assistance given to transgenders during the pandemic to sex workers as well.

"We understand that Rs 1,500 is to be provided to transgenders, amid the pandemic. Can it be extended to sex workers?" the bench asked the Centre.

The court was hearing a plea filed on behalf of the Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee, seeking monetary assistance to the sum of Rs 5,000 per month, dry rations along with masks, soaps, hand sanitisers etc to sex workers amid the pandemic situation without insistence on identity proof. The plea said a large number of sex workers have been excluded from aid measures due to the lack of or deficiencies in their identity documents.

"Though the 'unlock' process has been underway since June 2020, sex workers have not recovered their earnings. With the exodus of migrant workers from cities, there is hardly any work. Like everyone else, sex workers are afraid of contracting Covid-19 and are hesitant to get back to work," the plea stated.

Additional Solicitor General R S Suri said the Centre would have no objection if dry rations were provided by the states without an identity proof. He said a scheme prepared by the National Legal Services Authority can be activated for the purpose. He sought time to take instructions on extending monetary relief.