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SC orders free distribution of foodgrains

By The Assam Tribune

NEW DELHI, Aug 31 � The Supreme Court today made it clear that it had ordered free distribution of foodgrains to the poor instead of allowing it to rot and rejected Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar�s contention that it was a suggestion which cannot be implemented.

�It was not a suggestion. It is there in our order.It is part of our order. You tell the Minister about it,� a Bench of Justices Dalveer Bhandari and Deepak Verma told the government counsel Additional Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran.

The issue of foodgrains rotting in godowns was also raised in the Lok Sabha by the BJP which accused the Government of not abiding by the apex court�s order.

Pawar said he had not got a copy of the court order but assured the House that Government will honour the decision of the Supreme Court.

�This government will honour the decision of the Supreme Court. Members� suggestions will also be considered,� he said responding to the issue raised by Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj.

The Supreme Court hearing on the issue of rampant corruption in the Public Distribution System (PDS), also ordered the Government to launch criminal prosecution of those using bogus ration cards in the country.

At the fag end of the hearing, the judges expressed displeasure at the �casual manner� in which the Union Minister chose to treat its earlier order.

�We have seen some newspaper reports. Generally newspaper reports are not correct, but it said that the Minister (Pawar) had said it was only a suggestion.

The apex court passed the observation while responding to Pawar�s recent contention that the apex court had on August 12 merely suggested free distribution of foodgrains.

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