Supreme Court Orders Government To Issue Ration Card And ID Cards To Sex Workers, Says Fundamental Rights Are For Everyone

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court directed the State Governments and Union Territories to immediately start the process of issuing Aadhaar cards, ration cards and voter identity cards to sex workers who don’t own any proof of identity as per the list maintained by the National Aids Control Organisation (NACO). The apex court observed that the Right to Dignity is a fundamental right guaranteed to all citizens of the country irrespective of their profession.

The top court was hearing an application filed by NGO ‘Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee, seeking direction to the authorities to provide monthly dry rations and cash transfer to sex workers who were struggling financially during the Covid-19 pandemic. This petition will provide relief for over nine lakh female and transgender sex workers across India.

The Supreme Court had asked the State Governments and Union Territories to provide dry ration to the sex workers without asking for any identity proof almost a decade ago but the same was not complied with. Taking note of the situation, the bench comprising Justices L. Nageswara Rao, B.R. Gavai and B.V. Nagarathna directed the concerned authorities to issue ration cards and identity cards immediately without any further delay. “There is no reason as to why such a direction has not been implemented till now,” noted the bench.

The SC further ordered the States and UT’s to file a status report relating to the issuance of ration cards and Voters Identity cards and Aadh Aadhar Card shall be filed within a period of four weeks from the date of order and keep the name of the sex workers confidential.

Also Read: Bombay High Court Set Three Sex Workers Free, Reminding People That Women Still Hold The Right To Choose Their Own Vocation

The court has been passing many orders to ensure the wellbeing and safety of sex workers during the pandemic, including calling for government assistance to offer them other livelihood opportunities. The panel also suggested for State Governments and local authorities to issue ration cards to sex workers by relaxing the diligent rules as to verification of address without reference to their profession

On September 15, 2011, the Court had directed the Central Government and the State Governments to implement the suggestions made by the Committee in relation to the issuance of ration cards and voter identity cards and voter identity cards.

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