Take steps to ensure Midday Meal Scheme is not stalled during future disasters, pandemic: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court on Friday urged the State government to frame exigency plans so that the Midday Meal Scheme at schools is not disrupted in the event of future natural calamities or disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic. .While it is hoped that the worst is over, what the COVID-19 pandemic may have taught humanity is not to take anything for granted and to be prepared for the worst, the Court observed.."It would do well for the State to prepare a plan of action where, whether there is any natural calamity of disaster or the pandemic or anything which is beyond the everyday difficulty, there is a plan B or plan C ready so that the vulnerable children and young adults do not go without nutritious meals," the order further stated..A Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice PD Audikesavalu was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed earlier this year raising concern over the suspension of the Midday Meal Scheme amid the COVID-19 pandemic. .On Friday, the Court was informed that the Midday Meal Scheme has already resumed in Tamil Nadu for students of the 9th and 10th standards after their classes resumed in September. The provision for hot, cooked, nutritious meals with eggs under the said scheme would be resumed for other school going students once their classes resume on November 1, the Court was told further. .Appearing for the petitioner, however, Senior Advocate NL Rajah asserted that the scheme cannot be suspended in the future, whatever be the circumstances. This is the legal position, he told the Court. .Noting that the Midday Meal Scheme is a very salutary programme, Chief Justice Banerjee opined that some plan should be in place to guard against its disruption in the future. .The Court proceeded to adjourn the case by four weeks for a status report to be filed by the Secretary of the State Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department. Together with the status report, the Court also called for the State to indicate whether "there is an exigency or emergency plan in place to deal with a situation as the pandemic brought about.".During the course of the hearing, the Court also put on record its appreciation that the State had resumed the Midday Meal Scheme in rural areas even earlier at a point when the COVID-19 lockdown had not been completely lifted.