On Wednesday, the Apex Court ordered States & Union Territories (UTs) to take a decision by Jan 31 on the opening of Anganwadi centres across the country, except in the case of containment zones in the view of COVID-19.
A Bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan also directed the States & UTs to ensure that nutritional standards as provided under the food safety law reach pregnant women, lactating mothers & children suffering from malnutrition.
The Supreme Court also ordered the Ministry of Women & Child Development to take a decision in this regard by Jan 31.
The UTs & States must make arrangements of opening Anganwadis only after consulting their respective State Disaster Management Authorities, said the Supreme Court, adding that complete redressal management should be put in place.
The Top Court order came on a petition filed by Maharashtra-based Dipika Jagatram Sahani seeking direction relating to forthwith reopening of all Anganwadi centres in the country which were closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The plea also sought a direction to the Centre, states & UTs to provide hot cooked meals, take-home rations in consonance with the provisions of the National Food Security Act, 2013 as well as the Supplementary Nutrition (under the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme) Rules, 2020.
The plea alleged that functioning of all Anganwadi centres in the country came to a "sudden halt" & poor pregnant & lactating women & children were "left in the lurch".
Source Link
Picture Source :
