Chaini Parwani –
Published On: November 17, 2021 at 12:05 IST
The Supreme Court slammed at the Center over the delay in Drafting a Scheme against a Petition alleging Community Kitchens across India to fight hunger.
A Bench of comprising of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justices AS Bopanna and Hima Kohli Adjudicated the Court.
Chief Justice of India NV Ramana while doubting Center’s intention stated “Every Welfare State’s first responsibility is to provide food to people dying due to hunger.”
Further Chief Justice of India NV Ramana sternly stated that the Affidavit submitted doesn’t indicate that forming of a scheme is being implemented and that despite collecting information from States no action is being taken.
Furthermore, Justice Hima Kohli stated “You have filed a 17-page Affidavit and not a whisper in it on how you are going to implement the scheme.”
Additional Solicitor General Madhavi Divan, representing the Center, highlighted that there are State Government Schemes already available in this regard.
Attorney General KK Venugopal while addressing the Court’s Directions on need of Common Scheme noted that a Scheme could be worked out under the National Food Security Act.
The Court further allowed a last chance to the Centre for Drafting Scheme within three weeks in Consultation with States.
Advocate Ashima Mandla representing the Petitioners highlighted that they have proposed a model regarding the scheme wherein the number of proposed kitchens is considered to be based on the population at block-level and it should be considered by the Center.
The Public Interest Litigation was filed by Social Activists Anun Dhawan, Ishann Dhawan, and Kunjana Singh seeking directions to all the States and Union Territories to Draft a Scheme for Community Kitchens to fight hunger and malnutrition.
The Petition alleged that many children under the age of five die every day due to hunger and malnutrition and this condition Violates various Fundamental Rights, including the Right to Food and the Life of Citizens.
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