The Gauhati High Court has recently directed the respondents in a PIL to verify the actual existence of creche centres as per their records and if they are found not in existence, establish such centres within a period of three months. The Court then disposed of the said public interest litigation.
The Kohima Bench comprising Justice Songkhupchung Serto and Justice Kakheto Sema disposed a PIL filed by one Rokosevito seeking direction to the respondents to establish creches were they were supposed to have been in place i.e at Kigwema Village, Jakhama Village and Chedema Village in the district of Kohima and also at some places in the district of Dimapur.
Neiteo Koza, counsel for the petitioner, submitted that when a fact-finding team went to the above stated villages and places in the district of Dimapur to enquire as to the actual existence of such centres, it was found that such centres were not in existence. Therefore, a representation dated 10.11.2019 was submitted to the concerned authorities for establishment of such centres in those places but since the request was not considered, the petitioners are here before the Court praying for issuance of appropriate writ or order or direction, directing the respondents to establish creche centres in the places specified in the representation.
The Court noted that respondents were given time to file their affidavit ever since the PIL was moved. Quite some time has passed since then but no affidavit has been filed till today. Therefore, after hearing the learned counsels for the parties, the Bench decided to dispose the PIL with the following directions:-
“That the respondents shall verify from the places mentioned above as to the actual existence of Creche Centres as per their records and if they are found not in existence, establish such Centres as per the scheme as mentioned in the representation dated 10.11.2019 . The respondents shall do the same within a period of three months,” the order reads.