Representational Photo| Image by WOKANDAPIX from Pixabay
Morung Express News
Kohima | February 29
The Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, on February 28, directed the State Authorities to take appropriate steps for the publication of the Nagaland State Mental Healthcare Rules. The Division Bench of Justice Devashis Baruah and Justice Susmita Phukan Khaund issued the order after the counsel appearing on behalf of Nagaland Health submitted that via a communication dated February 20, 2024, the State Mental Healthcare Rules framed by the State of Nagaland have been approved by the Central Government.
The counsel further submitted that, in pursuance of the said approval, necessary action would be required to be taken for publishing the Nagaland State Mental Healthcare Rules in the Official Gazette.
Thereafter, the establishment of the State Mental Health Authority and the constitution of the Mental Health Care Review Board would be done, and it would require some time.
Accordingly, the Court fixed the matter on April 4 and directed the State Authorities to take appropriate steps to publish the rules.
The Court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in July 2021, which, among other things, sought a direction to the State Government to constitute the Mental Health Authority as per the provisions of the Mental Health Care Act 2017.
Meanwhile, in a separate PIL, the State respondents failed to update the Court on the current status of the Nagaland State Food Commission, as directed by the Bench on February 21
The Additional Advocate General, Nagaland, submits that the “instructions, which, in the opinion of this Court, is a simple instruction sought for, was not provided by the State of Nagaland,” the Bench observed.
Accordingly, it noted that such “aspect does not inspire confidence in the Court.” Fixing the matter for further hearing on March 6, the Bench expressed that the State would “hopefully apprise this Court as to whether the Nagaland State Food Commission is presently functioning and from where the Nagaland State Food Commission is functioning.
