Supreme Court Freezes Food Stamp Payments, Leaving Families in Crisis
Thousands of vulnerable families across India are facing severe hardship after the Supreme Court’s interim order abruptly halted food stamp payments under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The suspension, aimed at reviewing alleged corruption in the distribution system, has sparked outrage as beneficiaries struggle to afford basic meals.
Why Did the Supreme Court Intervene?
A bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud issued the order following a petition accusing officials of mismanagement—claiming ineligible recipients received subsidies while needy families faced delays. The court directed state governments to submit detailed NFSA implementation reports within four weeks, freezing all payments until further review.
“Stopping aid without alternatives is inhuman,” said Mumbai social worker Anjali Patel. “Families relying on these stamps don’t know how to feed their children.”
Families Forced to Skip Meals as Aid Disappears
For daily wage earners, single parents, and rural households, NFSA subsidies were a lifeline. Now, many are skipping meals or borrowing food.
In Delhi’s Seemapuri slum, Rekha Devi, a mother of three, shared: “We bought rice and dal with the stamps. Now, we’re barely eating.” Similar crises are unfolding in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal—states already battling high malnutrition rates.
Activists warn children are at risk. “School mid-day meals depend on these stamps. Without them, kids may drop out to work,” said Dr. Arvind Kumar of the Right to Food Campaign.
Political Reactions: Demands for Emergency Relief
Opposition leaders criticize the central government for lacking a backup plan. Congress’s Rahul Gandhi tweeted: “Modi Sarkar must ensure no one sleeps hungry during this audit.”
The BJP insists the pause is temporary. Food Minister Piyush Goyal stated: “We’re streamlining the system. States must expedite audits.”
Legal Experts Debate: Accountability vs. Hunger
While some lawyers support the court’s anti-corruption push, others argue stopping aid violates constitutional rights.
- Senior Advocate Indira Jaising: “Starvation can’t be collateral damage.”
- Ex-Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi: “Taxpayer funds must reach the right people.”
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has demanded clarity, stressing food security as a fundamental right under Article 21.
What Happens Now?
With the next hearing in July, states are scrambling to submit reports. NGOs urge emergency rations or cash transfers to prevent starvation.
For families like Rekha’s, survival hangs in the balance—caught between systemic reforms and urgent need. As debates continue, one truth remains: hunger won’t wait for bureaucracy.
— Reporting by Priya Sharma, NextMinuteNews
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