PM Jan-Dhan Yojana: Delhi High Court Seeks Centre's Response Over Purported Exclusion Of 'Intended Beneficiaries' From Covid-Relief Packages

The Delhi High Court today sought response from the Central government on a public interest litigation, challenging the constitutional validity of the "Relief Package" introduced during March 2020 nation-wide lockdown under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, 2020 (PMJDY), inasmuch as the same allegedly excludes a huge chunk of intended beneficiaries. The petition has been filed one Aakash Goel, claiming to be routinely involved in social work activities, through Advocate Prashant Bhushan. It is his case that crores of intended beneficiaries have been excluded from availing the benefit of subsidies and direct benefit scheme benefits, solely for the reason that they are not active Jan Dhan account holders. The plea points out that the Centre had made provision for grant of Rs. 500 per month between April-June, 2020 to PMJDY women account holders. Thus, having an active PMJDY account is a pre-requisite for availing benefit of this ex-gratia amount announced by the Union Government. However, it is averred that this criterion is exclusionary because crores of poor women do not possess an active PMJDY account. "The aforesaid class of persons are being discriminated against by limiting the benefits of welfare schemes to a restricted group of beneficiaries," the plea states. It was further highlighted that in August 2020 a national survey was conducted by the Action Aid Association with informal workers to ascertain the impact of the lockdown, and it was found that a remarkably low level of informal workers from poor and low-income households were enrolled for welfare schemes.Union Ministry of Rural Development, Department of Financial Services and Ministry of Finance are arrayed as Respondents in the matter. At the outset, during the hearing, the Division Bench comprising of Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Navin Chawla stated that the matter requires consideration. "Let's say there is a labour. She has an account but that is empty since 5 years, and she also is hand to mouth. But now her Jan Dhan Account is not active. But she is still in need. So, there is a segment which is left out." Centre's Standing Counsel Anil Soni has sought time to file a status report and has assured that the Respondents will assess what improvements can be done. Accordingly, the matter was adjourned to October 20. Case Title: Aakash Goel v. Union of India

PM Jan-Dhan Yojana: Delhi High Court Seeks Centre's Response Over Purported Exclusion Of 'Intended Beneficiaries' From Covid-Relief Packages

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