Plea seeks adequate supply of food for children in slums

THE PIL SOUGHT DIRECTIONS FOR THE COLLECTION OF DATA OF ALL POOR FAMILIES IN SLUMS TO CHECK THE NUTRITION LEVELS OF CHILDREN

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought the response of the Centre and the Delhi government on a plea seeking a direction to the authorities to frame guidelines or a policy to ensure minor children of the poor or the marginalised sections of society receive adequate supply of food.

A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V Kameswar Rao directed the Centre to indicate its stand within four weeks and also implead other authorities concerned.

The court was hearing a plea filed by an advocate, Maneesh Pathak, who had sought directions to the authorities to supply essential food items to the marginalised sections through a free delivery public distribution system or through a particular place from where such families can collect a minimum quota without having a ration card.

Highlighting various news reports of deaths due to starvation in the country, the plea said fundamental rights of the poor people were being affected.

The petition also raised the recent deaths of three children in east Delhi’s Mandawali area, allegedly due to starvation, and the death of a woman in Jharkhand due to the same reason.

“The petitioner espouses the cause of safeguarding the fundamental rights of the affected and neglected poor and slum-dwelling minor children who have been suffering from starvation and malnutrition problems...,” the petition stated.

The public interest litigation sought directions for the collection of data of all poor families in slums to get nutrition levels of children checked from time to time and ensure free medication and treatment for them.