The Allahabad High Court has sought the response from the State Government after a plea alleged that the State is not paying adequate attention to malnourished children and women in the State.

The Court has directed the State to clearly bring on record the schemes being run by it to meet the challenges posed by the problem relating to malnourished children and women in the State.

The bench of Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Subhash Vidyarthi observed that “This petition filed as Public Interest Litigation expresses serious concerns about the State not paying adequate and requisite attention to mal-nutritioned children and women in the State of Uttar Pradesh.”

The Court noted that as per an estimate the State of UP has most number of malnourished children.

The Court also noted that Malnourished lactating mothers also add to the increased number of malnourished children. The Court noted that it is the duty of the State to take appropriate measures so that these unfortunate sections of society are also able to realize their right of life enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution.

From the pleadings available on record, the Court noticed that some schemes run by the State Government are not being appropriately administered because of various reasons, including the reason of deficiency of human resources.

In view of this, the Court directed the Principal Secretary/Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Women and Child Welfare to respond to the issues raised in the petition.

The Court directed the State to file its response as regards the deficiency in the human resources, if any, to run various beneficial schemes.

“Counter affidavit to this petition shall thus be filed within a period of six weeks. Two weeks' time thereafter shall be available to the petitioner to file rejoinder affidavit.”, the Court directed.

Cause Title- Moti Lal Yadav v. State of U.P. And Ors

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Allahabad High CourtJustice Devendra Kumar UpadhyayaJustice Subhash Vidyarthi

Ashish Shaji