Now, 5,315 sex workers identified in Nagaland to receive free dry ration

New Delhi: Nagaland has identified 5,315 sex workers who will now receive dry ration free of cost as per the Supreme Court’s September 29 instruction to state governments to provide dry ration to all sex workers. The sex workers have been identified by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) and district legal authorities.

Senior advocate Jayant Bhushan, assisting the apex court as an amicus curiae in the matter, referred to the affidavit filed by Nagaland.

Nagaland in the affidavit said that it has identified 5,315 sex workers so far who will be eligible for this benefit.

According to reports, the counsel appearing for Nagaland told the bench about some technical difficulty in distributing the dry ration as the system was fully computerised there. The bench, however, said that if it is online, it will be faster.

The bench said that larger Indian states have already implemented the measure.

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"You are still at the stage of identification. If you will take refuge under computerisation, it is going to take a year. You do whatever you want but don’t delay this,” the bench said.

The bench further added that this is a "serious problem" and the sex workers have been earmarked for this issue as it is a humane problem.
At the same time, the counsel appearing for Manipur raised the issue of financial constraint faced by the state.

Since North Eastern states rely on central funds, the bench asked the counsel appearing for Manipur to give representation to the Centre on this issue.

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