Done with Ration Card, now effort is on to get compensation

For more than 3 years, around 36 families from villagers of Thiruppeyar, Thiruppeyar Thakka and Pudukalani could not get ration card in spite of applying before the concerned Taluka Supply Officer. Even I had to follow up for almost a year with the concerned offices and their higher authorities by RTIs, writing letters and issuing legal notices, still there was no progress. Therefore, regarding this, I had to file Public Interest Litigation (W.P.3067 of 2018) before the Hon'ble High Court of Madras seeking ration card as well as compensation for depriving them the benefit of government schemes due to lack of ration card all these years.

The Honourable court upon hearing me, directed the Taluka Supply Officer to issue ration card and submit compliance report after issuing the ration card. Accordingly ration card was issued to 35 eligible families. In the final hearing which was held on 2nd April, 2018, the Honourable Court refused to entertain arguments on compensation by stating that “that court cannot upon affidavits adjudicate a claim for compensation, which is in nature of a claim for damages”. However, the Honourable court further said that “the disposal of this writ petition will not prevent the petitioner from claiming compensation before the appropriate forum in accordance with law, if so advised”.

This has thrown an opportunity to me to approach the Food Commissioner of Tamil Nadu Government for seeking compensation for the poor families under Food Security Act, 2013. Now Effort is on to get compensation from the very people (Tamil Nadu Government), who were responsible for depriving the rights of the poor families for years. After all Principle of Natural Justice and Rule of Law provides everyone enough opportunity to tell their side of the story. I am going to give another chance to them. Lets see how they respond this time.