[Cites 0, Cited by 0]
Chattisgarh High Court
In The Matter Of Suo Moto Public Interest ... vs The Chief Secretary on 15 April, 2026
MANPREET
KAUR
Digitally signed
by MANPREET
KAUR
Date: 2026.04.16
11:05:41 +0530
1/9
HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR
WPPIL No. 75 of 2023
In The Matter of Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation
Versus
The Chief Secretary
Order Sheet
15.04.2026 This is an office reference.
Heard Mr. Praveen Das, learned Additional
Advocate General for the State, Mr. Niraj Baghel,
learned counsel on behalf of Mr. Ramakant Mishra,
DSGI for Union of India, Mr. Amiyakant Tiwari and Mr.
Ishan Verma, learned counsel for respective parties.
In compliance to the Court's order dated
21.01.2026, the Chief Secretary, Government of
Chhattisgarh, has filed his affidavit, relevant paras of
which are reproduced hereinbelow:
"3. That, the instant Public Interest
Litigation was listed for hearing before the
Hon'ble Court on 21/01/2026. It is
2/9
respectfully submitted that, on the said date
the Hon'ble Court was pleased to consider
the affidavit filed by the Chief Secretary,
Govt. of Chhattisgarh in compliance of the
Hon'ble Court's order dated 09/01/2026 and
the same has been taken on record by the
Hon'ble Court.
4. That, during the course of hearing the
Court Commissioner pointed out that 03
teachers were suspended on the allegation
of supply of contaminated Mid-day meal. It
is respectfully submitted that this incident
regarding allegation of supply of
contaminated Mid-day meal pertains to
Govt. Middle School, Mangla, District-
Bilaspur. On account of the forthcoming
exams the teachers namely, Mr.
Chandrakant Kashyap and Mrs. Bhavna
Tiwari have been reinstated in the School
so that no academic loss is caused to the
students.
5. That, with respect to the Govt. Middle
School Chourabhata, District Janjgir
Champa, where 25 students fell sick, it is
respectfully submitted that one teacher was
suspended. In order to ensure that no
academic loss is caused to the students of
3/9
the said school one teacher, namely Mr.
Sanjay Kumar Rathore has been posted at
the Govt. Middle School, Chourabhata,
District Janjgir Champa to teach students in
place of the suspended teacher. Copies of
the posting orders with respect to Mr.
Chandrakant Kashyap, Mrs. Bhavna Tiwari
& Mr. Sanjay Kumar Rathore are annexed
herewith as ANNEXURE A/1.
6. It is respectfully submitted that the
Hon'ble Court has directed the deponent to
ensure that the place of Mid-day meal is
made congenial so that the children are not
put to discomfort during the Mid- day meal.
7. It is submitted that pursuant to the
observation made by the Hon'ble Court, a
second meeting of the specific committee
constituted in this regard was held on
06/02/2026
and various issues were duly
discussed including operation of centralized
kitchen by NGOs, the formation of School
management committees and other bodies
etc. A specific discussion was held on the
issue of implementation of Centralized
Kitchen System, wherein various benefits of
centralized kitchen system have been put
forth. It is submitted that 11 points decisions
have been taken regarding improvement of
the system regarding Mid-day meal, its
upgradation and implementation of
centralized kitchen system etc.
8. It was also observed that as
implementation of centralized kitchen
system involves larger funds & its
implementation in the first stage would be
concentrated on Municipal Corporation
levels for which a request of budget would
be placed before the Central Government.
The minutes of the meeting dated
06/02/2026 is annexed herewith as
ANNEXURE A/2 and the contents thereof
would clearly reflect that positive steps
have been initiated with respect to
implementation of the centralized kitchen
system for distribution and Mid-day meal to
the students of the Govt. School of
Chhattisgarh.
9. It is respectfully submitted that the
learned Court Commissioner has submitted
reports dated 17/01/2026 & 18/01/2026,
wherein certain issues have been pointed
out pertaining to the locations where the
Mid-day meals are prepared Government
Middle School Chourabhata, District Janjgir
Champa. at
10. It is submitted that the specific
instructions have been given by the
Directorate of Public Instructions to inspect
the Schools located in their respective
areas and ensure about the hygiene,
cleanliness, the facility regarding
accommodation where students are served
Mid-day meal, the status of the roof as also
whether the kitchen, etc. is safe from entry
of animals and unauthorized persons. The
District Education Officers of the various
districts of the State of Chhattisgarh have
submitted their reports / certificates
specifying that all aspects are ensured to
maintain hygiene for Mid-day meal. Copies
of the certificates issued by the District
Education Officers of various districts in this
regard are collectively annexed herewith as
ANNEXURE A/3.
11. It is submitted that the District Education
Officer, Janjgir Champa has issued a letter
to the SDM, Nawagarh, District Janjgir
Champa to take steps for removal of
encroachment of the land of the school SO
that boundary wall can be constructed for
securing premises of the said school. Copy
of the communication in this regard in
annexed herewith as ANNEXURE A/4.
12. It is further submitted that a report has
been submitted by the District Education
Officer regarding the present status of Mid-
day meals at Govt. Middle School,
Chourabhata, District Janjgir Champa,
wherein, it has been mentioned that there
are 75 students pursuing education there
and there has been improvement in the
shed where the Mid- day Meal is served as
well as now the flooring under the shed has
been completed. It has been further
mentioned that now there is proper
arrangement of drinking water and all the
students are served Mid- day Meal after
maintaining the hygienic conditions. Copy
of the report in this regard is annexed
herewith as ANNEXURE A/5.
13. That, the deponent herein submits that
all efforts are being ensured to comply with
the directions issued by the Hon'ble Court.
In this regard consistent monitoring would
be carried out to maintain high level of
hygiene, sanitation, cleanliness at various
schools as also regarding Mid-day meals
system and the kitchen etc. as well as
implementation of Centralized Kitchen
System.
14. That, the deponent most respectfully
submits that he has the highest regards
and great respect of the lawful authority of
the Hon'ble Court. The deponent herein is
aware about the gravity of the order passed
by this Hon'ble Court and he respectfully
submits that he is duty bound to comply
with the order passed by this Hon'ble Court
in its true letter and spirit.
15. The above submissions and documents
may kindly be taken on record of the case
in compliance of the directions of the
Hon'ble Court."
Upon perusal of the affidavit, it is revealed
that in compliance with the directions issued by this
Court, the State authorities have taken certain
corrective and remedial measures with regard to the
Mid-day Meal Scheme, including reinstatement and
posting of teachers to avoid academic loss, issuance of
necessary instructions for maintaining hygiene and
sanitation, and initiation of steps towards improvement
of infrastructure at the concerned schools.
It further transpires that a meeting of the
Committee was convened on 06.02.2026, wherein
various issues relating to the implementation of a
centralized kitchen system, monitoring mechanisms,
and overall upgradation of the Mid-day Meal Scheme
were deliberated upon and decisions have been taken
in that regard. The affidavit also indicates that
directions have been issued to the District Education
Officers to ensure proper hygiene, safety, and
cleanliness at the places where Mid-day meals are
prepared and served.
The steps taken by the authorities, as reflected in
the affidavit and the annexures appended thereto,
prima facie demonstrate that efforts are being made to
address the concerns raised before this Court.
However, considering the nature of the issue, which
directly affects the health and well-being of school
children, this Court is of the considered opinion that
continuous monitoring is required to ensure strict
compliance of the norms and standards relating to the
Mid-day Meal Scheme.
Learned State counsel also submits that one of
the members has been appointed as the Chairman of
the said Committee. It has also been brought to the
notice of this Court that the Secretary, School
Education Department, is presently engaged in election
duty and is expected to be relieved from the same by
the end of this month.
Considering the aforesaid circumstances, it is
deemed appropriate to list the matter after summer
vacations.
Fresh affidavit shall be filed by the the Chief
Secretary, Government of Chhattisgarh, Raipur
disclosing the progress in the matter by the next date of
hearing.
Sd/- Sd/-
(Ravindra Kumar Agrawal) (Ramesh Sinha)
Judge Chief Justice
Manpreet
