IT News
Imphal, June 27:
The High Court of Manipur has directed the State Government to comply with the provisions listed under National Food Security Act 2013 (NFSA) and Supplementary Rules 2017, and also to to release the allocated food grains and supplements including backlogs from December 2019 at the earliest.
The Double bench of the court consisting of Chief Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar and Justice Ahanthem Bimol while taking up a PIL filed by Thokchom Premlata Devi of Kwakeithel, Imphal regarding failure of the State Govt. to fulfill the Central Govt. schemes, came up with the verdict on June 19.
The division bench of the High court has observed that 25 Angangwadi centres surveyed by the petitioner have been unable to provide the assured Food grain and Nutrition supplements to the deserving beneficiaries including pregnant women, lactating mother and children under the age of 14, as the State Government have not allocated the quota to these centres since December 2019.
The State Govt. has also failed to provide the no food security allowances to beneficiaries despite failing to meet the guidelines. The Court also took due note of the letter written by The Ministry of Women & Child Development, Govt. of India on 30.03.2020 instructing the Principal secretaries/Secretaries of the various States to assure supply of the food grains and supplements to beneficiaries even during the Covid-19 crisis through their designated Anganwadi centres taking all guidelines of minimal contact in place.
The apex court of the State while announcing the verdict, issued order to the State Govt. to release the allocated food grains and supplements including backlogs from December 2019 at the earliest or to provide the no food security allowance if it is unable to provide the same.
