Consult States, UTs before finalizing policy on community kitchens: Supreme Court to UOI

The Supreme Court has directed the Union of India to interact with State governments and Union Territories (UTs) before finalising a policy on community kitchens as a measure to address hunger deaths and malnourishment in children. (Anun Dhawan & ors v Union of India & ors,).The Court, on Wednesday, also called on the Centre to finalise a date for a meeting with State governments and UTs on the issue. ."We feel that there is a need to coordinate with the State Governments/Union Territories and their opinion should also be taken into consideration by the Union of India before finalization of the Community Kitchen Scheme ... We direct the Union of India to interact with the concerned stakeholders as well as for finalization of probable date of holding meeting(s) with the State Governments/Union Territories on the subject", the order stated. .The Bench consisting of the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli further directed the Registry to invest costs earlier deposited by the States (for their failure to file replies on time) in Fixed Deposits in a nationalised bank for a short term so as to gain maximum interest..Sikkim's request for exemption from payment of costs was declined. The Bench has granted four weeks' time to those States who are yet to deposit costs to do so. The National Capital Territory of Delhi and Union Territory of Ladakh have been ordered to file their counter affidavits within two weeks..The Bench also noted that hunger deaths and malnutrition in children were reported in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Bihar. These States have been ordered to file short responses mentioning which districts/ talukas/ villages have been facing these issues. The same must be filed before the next date of hearing..Additional Solicitor General Madhvi Divan assured the Court that the Union is actively considering the proposal to create community kitchens to take care of hunger deaths and malnutrition and that it is awaiting reports on the same..The Court stated that, in the given situation, it would be appropriate for the Union to come up with a policy on community kitchen schemes. The Court added that the Union must take into consideration similar schemes already in operation in different States before finalising the policy..The matter will be heard next on November 16, 2021..[Read Order]