The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to direct the Central government to frame a national policy for setting up subsidised canteens or community kitchens across the country [Anun Dhawan & ors v. Union of India & ors].A bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal stated that the National Food Security Act and other welfare schemes already exist towards providing adequate quantities of subsidised food for the needy."We do not deem it necessary to give further directions. We have not said anything 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. Writ petition is disposed of," the bench said, while reading out the operative part of its order.The order came on a public interest litigation (PIL) petition 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 petitioner had urged the Court to direct the Central government to establish a national-level policy in this regard.In November 2021, the Supreme Court had expressed its dissatisfaction with the Central government's affidavit in the matter.A bench of the then Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Justices AS Bopanna and Hima Kohli had added that State governments have a responsibility to set up such kitchens through a comprehensive scheme."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", the bench had stated, at the time.
TAGS: Supreme Court Anun Dhawan & Ors v. Union of India & Ors National policy Subsidized canteens Community kitchens
