By News Desk 
The Supreme Court of India has voiced serious concerns regarding the continued distribution of free ration by state governments, stressing the financial strain such policies place on taxpayers. A bench led by Justice Suryakant, during proceedings on April 30, remarked that while offering free food grain may seem politically advantageous, it comes with long-term economic consequences.
According to The Hindu, the court emphasized that focusing solely on free ration distribution undermines other critical needs of the country, such as job creation and infrastructure development. Justice Suryakant questioned the current priorities of state administrations, stating:
“It’s 2025—are we still operating under the same poverty assumptions as in 2011, when the last census took place? States are willing to provide free ration and issue ration cards, but only if the Centre bears the cost. The Centre may agree, but who ultimately pays? It’s the taxpayers. We must also invest in employment opportunities and building infrastructure. These cannot be ignored.”
He raised a critical question about whether India has made any progress in tackling poverty over the last decade. In response, advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioners, argued that with population growth over the years, the number of people living in poverty has also increased.
In earlier hearings, the apex court had noted that creating sustainable employment opportunities is the key to resolving issues related to food insecurity, rather than relying on free food distribution in the long run.
The observations were made while the court was hearing a petition concerning food and livelihood security for migrant workers, especially in the context of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The plea called upon both the central and state governments to ensure that migrant laborers received food assistance, cash transfers, and other welfare benefits during the crisis.