Chaini Parwani –
Published On: December 15, 2021 at 17:30 IST
The Supreme Court informed the States and Union Territories to forthwith start the procedure of issuing Voter ID cards, Aadhaar and ration cards to Sex Workers in India.
A Bench of Justice L. Nageswara Rao stated “The Fundamental Rights are guaranteed to every Citizen of the country irrespective of his/her vocation. There is a bounden duty on the Government to provide basic amenities to the citizens of the country. The Central Government, State governments and other authorities are directed to commence the process of issuance of Ration Cards, Voter ID cards and Aadhaar cards immediately.”
The Court highlighted that aid from the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) and State AIDS control societies, would assist noting the number of sex workers after verification of the information.
Furthermore, the Court stated “The Status Report related to issuance of Ration Cards, Voter ID cards and Aadhaar cards to the Sex Workers be filed in a period of four weeks from today and in the meanwhile, State governments and UTs are directed to continue distribution of Dry Ration to Sex Workers without insisting on ration cards and other Proofs of Identity as mentioned in earlier Orders.”
Earlier in an Order the Apex Court, had directed States to supply Dry Rations to Sex Workers, identified by NACO, without insisting on any proof of identity pertaining to the Right to food under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
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