Case Note & Summary
The case involved a writ petition filed by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties against the Union of India concerning the implementation of nutritional norms under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme. The petition highlighted concerns regarding malnutrition and the need for revised feeding norms. The Union of India submitted an affidavit detailing actions taken to comply with previous court orders, including the universalization of Anganwadi Centres and revisions to nutritional standards. The court noted that the nutritional norms had remained unchanged since the scheme's inception in 1975 until a recent review by a Task Force. The revised norms included increased caloric and protein intake for children and pregnant women. The court directed immediate implementation of these norms by all States and Union Territories, with compliance reports due by January 15, 2010. The court also addressed non-compliance by certain states and reiterated the need for adherence to previous orders regarding nutritional provisions. The decision underscored the importance of addressing malnutrition through effective implementation of the revised guidelines.
Headnote
A) Administrative Law - Compliance with Court Orders - Implementation of Revised Nutritional Norms - Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, Section Not mentioned - The court directed the Union of India and all States/Union Territories to implement revised nutritional norms for the Supplementary Nutrition Programme under the ICDS Scheme, emphasizing the need for compliance with the stipulated guidelines and financial allocations. Held that failure to comply would necessitate further action (Paras 6-12).
Issue of Consideration
Whether the revised nutritional and feeding norms for the Supplementary Nutrition Programme under the ICDS Scheme have been adequately implemented by the Union of India and the respective States/Union Territories.
Final Decision
The court directed the Union of India and all States/Union Territories to implement the revised nutritional norms for the Supplementary Nutrition Programme under the ICDS Scheme immediately, with compliance reports due by January 15, 2010.
Law Points
- Nutritional standards
- Supplementary Nutrition Programme
- ICDS Scheme
- Compliance directives
