Calcutta High Court stays discontinuation of PDS benefits to woman over SIR deletion
The Calcutta High Court has stayed the discontinuation of ration benefits for a woman whose name was removed from the electoral roll during a recent revision. The court is examining whether electoral status should legally impact access to essential public distribution services.
Why it matters
This case addresses the potential overreach of government administrative actions and the separation of voting rights from basic welfare entitlements.
The Calcutta High Court on Thursday (July 30, 2026) stayed the discontinuation of ration benefits to a petitioner after her name was deleted from the electoral roll in West Bengal during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise earlier this year.
Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya directed that the West Bengal government shall not take any coercive steps against the petitioner with regard to her monthly ration entitlement without the permission of the court.
Umme Salma, a resident of Cooch Behar district, had challenged an order issued by the Special Secretary to the Food and Supplies Department on June 4, 2026 to launch a drive to "weed out ineligible and ghost beneficiaries" based on the outcome of the SIR exercise. Ms. Salma’s local fair price shop dealer had informed her that her entitlement was likely to be discontinued unless she could show proof of an appeal concerning her electoral status.
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