Morung Express News
Kohima | April 30
The Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench has directed the State Government and the Department of Food and Civil Supplies to file affidavits with regard to implementation of Sections 4, 5, 6 & 8 of the National Food Security Act, 2013.
Under the sections, the respondents had to ensure that the children in the age group of six months to six years, pregnant women and lactating mothers are given meals free of charge through the local Anganwadis.
It further provided that the Anganwadi shall have facilities for cooking meals, drinking water and sanitation.
The sections also stipulated that State Government, through the local Anganwadis, shall identify and provide free meals free of charge to the children who suffer from malnutrition.
Further, in case of non-supply of the entitled quantities of food grains or meals to entitled persons under Chapter-II of the Act, such persons shall be entitled to receive such food security allowance from the State Government to pay each person, within such time and manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
Hearing a PIL on the issue on April 26, the counsel for the petitioner also submitted that the Supplementary Nutrition (under the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme) Rules, 2017 needs to be implemented fully by the State Government.
During the hearing, the Division Bench of Justice Marli Vankung and Justice Kardak Ete observed that while the Standing Counsel for the Department of Social Welfare had filed an affidavit showing steps taken, the State Government and Department of Food and Civil Supplies are yet to do so.
Accordingly, it directed the duo to file their affidavits within three weeks and list the matter for further hearings after three weeks.
