The Supreme Court has not agreed to direct Central government for framing a national policy for setting up subsidised canteens or community kitchens across the country.
A bench comprising of Justice Bela M Trivedi and Justice Pankaj Mithal said schemes like National Food Security Act and many other Schemes have already been taking adequate quantities of subsidised food for the needy.
The bench added that they find it important to give details on the same. The COurt added that they have nothing to say on the need for community kitchens, and leave it open to the States and Union Territories to ensure implementation of the welfare Acts and schemes.
The Court said that the writ petition is disposed of and read out the operative part of its order.
The Court gave this order on a PIL order seeking the establishment of subsidised canteens (or community kitchens) in all States and Union Territories to ensure food security in the wake of the havoc wreaked by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The plea had requested the Court to direct the Central government for establishing a national-level policy in this regard.
The Supreme Court in 2021 had had expressed dissatisfaction with the Central government’s affidavit in the matter.
The bench of former Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Justice AS Bopanna and Justice Hima Kohli had added that State governments have a responsibility to set up such kitchens through a comprehensive scheme.
Ait that time the benchg had said that if you want to take care of hunger and save people from dying, no State can say no. Responsibility of every welfare State is to look into this … We can’t leave the people in the lurch and say everything is fine.