A Division Bench comprising Justice M. Sathyanarayananand Justice M. Nirmal Kumar heard the public interestlitigation from K Bharathi, an advocate.
The bench, in its order, said, "The administration isalive to the situation and this court always expects theadministration to take an appropriate call at therelevant points of time to address various problems."
It further said it cannot issue any positive directionto the administration in the light of the limitationinvolved in the exercise of jurisdiction by this court underArticle 226 of the Constitution, especially with regard tothe Fiscal Policy.
Counsel for the petitioner submitted that on account ofthe onset of pandemic COVID-19, the state government hadannounced a monetary compensation/relief of Rs 1,000to ration cardholders [except White Card Holders].
The counsel said since the lockdown has been extendedfor a further period till May 3, the relief ofRs 1,000 is wholly inadequate.
He submitted that apart from the payment of the amountto the ration cardholders, no package or relief has beenannounced for the downtrodden people including casualworkers, daily wage workers, contract and unorganisedsectors.
Therefore, the petitioner prayed for a direction to theState Government to provide monetary benefitof Rs 15,000. CORNVG NVG