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 operationalization of Anganwadi centres under the Integrated Child Development Services scheme. The petitioner highlighted that as of March 2007, only 10.53 lakh centres had been sanctioned against a target of 14 lakh by December 2008, with only 7.81 lakh operational. The court noted significant discrepancies in the operational status of these centres across various states, particularly in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. The court had previously issued directives to ensure that sanctioned centres were operational by specific deadlines, but compliance was lacking. The states provided various reasons for the delays, which the court found unsatisfactory. The court reiterated the critical need for functional Anganwadi centres and set firm deadlines for operationalization, mandating that all sanctioned centres up to September 2006 be made operational by July 15, 2007, and those sanctioned up to January 2007 by September 30, 2007. The court warned that non-compliance would be taken seriously and required states to file affidavits reporting on their progress by specified dates. The matter was scheduled for further hearing on July 20, 2007.
Headnote
A) Administrative Law - Operationalization of Anganwadi Centres - Compliance with Court Directives - Integrated Child Development Services, 1975, Section Not mentioned - The court directed that all sanctioned Anganwadi centres must be made operational by specified deadlines, emphasizing the importance of these centres for child welfare. The court expressed dissatisfaction with the reasons provided by various states for non-compliance and set strict timelines for operationalization. Held that failure to comply would be viewed seriously (Paras 1-10).
Issue of Consideration
Whether the sanctioned Anganwadi centres have been operationalized as per the directives of the court.
Final Decision
The court directed that all sanctioned Anganwadi centres up to September 2006 must be made operational by July 15, 2007, and those sanctioned up to January 2007 by September 30, 2007. The court emphasized that non-compliance would be viewed seriously and required states to file affidavits reporting on their progress by specified dates.
Law Points
- Operationalization of Anganwadi Centres
- Integrated Child Development Services
- Government Accountability
