Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

HC stays Govt order on ration to TE workers

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Jan 8 � The Gauhati High Court has issued an injunction suspending a Government of Assam (GoA) order that stated that the supply of ration to the tea estates (TEs) of the State would be discontinued with effect from January 1, 2015.

The single bench court of the High Court Justice AK Goswami said in Writ Petition (Civil) No 6/2015 filed by Sumer Singh Gaur of the Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS), �Having regard to the fact that there may be disruption of supply of foodgrain to the tea garden labourers, it is directed that till the next date fixed the impugned order dated 18/12 /2014 (of the GoA) shall remain suspended.�

The next date fixed for motion hearing of the case is January 21, 2015.

The December 18, 2014 GoA order stated that the Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCSCA) Department, Assam was informed by the Deputy Secretary, FCSCA of the State Government that there cannot be any allotment of wheat/rice to tea garden managements/associations with effect from January 1, 2015.

The order resulted in discontinuation of the Government allotment of foodgrains for the TE workers since January 1 this year. TE managements are forced to procure their required quantities of foodstuff from the open market.

Petitioner Gaur has made Secretary to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Department of Food and Public Distribution of the Government of India (GoI), State Commissioner and Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies and Consumers Affairs Department, State�s Director, Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) the respondents.

In the court, senior advocate PK Goswami pleaded for the petitioner, while Assistant Solicitor General of India SC Keyal represented the GoI, additional senior government advocate of the GoA B Dutta represented the GoA and advocate PK Roy represented the FCI.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has hailed the High Court stay order on the State�s December 18, 2014 order.

In a statement here, the Chief Minister said that the GoA had placed a request before the Central Government to continue the supply of ration to the TE workers until the National Food Security Act is implemented. But the Central Government paid no heed to the State Government�s plea.

Next Story