"Poor Have Been Hit Hardest During Pandemic": Gauhati HC Directs State To Provide Benefits To People Entitled Under Food Security Act

Observing that the poor have been hit the hardest during the covid 19 pandemic, the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench on Wednesday directed the State Government to provide benefits and services to people entitled under the Food Security Act.

The development came after a division bench comprising of Justice Songkhupchung Serto and Justice S. Hukato Swu was dealing with a PIL espousing the cause of lactating mothers and children deprived of the required nutrition due to economic conditions specially, during the pandemic period.

The Court was apprised by the petitioner that the lactating mothers and children who are from the economically lower strata have been deprived of their entitlements under the Food Security Act due to the closure of Angawadi centres through which the required food or services were provided to them under the Act and other schemes of the central Government.

It was also submitted on behalf of the petitioner that the State Government should open the Angawadi centres once again so that the required services which were provided through them may continue to reach the people.

Reliance was also placed on the Supreme Court order in Deepika Jagatram Sahani vs Union of India & others (2021) 2 SCC 740 and the letter of Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child development asking all the Principal Secretaries of the States and UTs to utilize the service of Angawadi workers to provide services at the door steps to the needy.

Hearing the said submissions, the Court was of the view thus:

"Though it is true that the two learned counsels appearing for the respondents will need to be given time to file affidavits of the respondents, we are of the considered view that such service or needs which are most needed by the people in the economically disadvantaged section of our society should be provided at all cost as per the Food Security Act."

In view of this, the Court directed the State of Nagaland, Director of Department of Social Welfare and Director of Food and Civil Supplies to provide such services or benefits to the people who are entitled to as per their entitlements and rights under the Food Security Act.

"It is a common knowledge that the poor have been hit the hardest during this pandemic and they are in need of every help that can be provided. Therefore, it should be the endeavor of everyone responsible to make such services or benefits available at their door steps." The Court observed at the outset.

The Court also directed the respondents to file affidavit on the next date of hearing.

The matter will now be heard on 28th July.

Title: MHASIKHONU PHINYO v. UNION OF INDIA AND 3 ORS

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