On the 13th of January, the Supreme Court (SC) ordered to resume Anganwadi services.
The Anganwadi Services Scheme was announced to improve the nutrition and health status of children, lay the foundation for holistic development of children, reduce morbidity, mortality, malnutrition and school dropout among children and women.
However, the services and the development work under the scheme were suspended due to the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19.
On the 13th of January, the SC reviewed petitions filed against the closure of Anganwadis in states and union territories (UTs.) Dipika Jagatram Sahani filed the petition against the closure of Anganwadis.
The petitions also added, mothers and children who benefited through the scheme were not getting proper food and nutrition due the closure.
The three judges bench comprising of Justice Ashok Bhushan, Justice R. Subhash Reddy and Justice M.R. Shah reviewed the petition.
According to sources, nearly 14 lakh Anganwadis closed in India in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In regard to the filed petitions, the Apex Court ordered all states and UTs to take a decision upon Anganwadis services and resume work.
The deadline to take the decision set by the Top Court is the 31st of January.
The court said that the state and Union Territory should take a decision to reintroduce Anganwadi services in all areas except the containment zones.
The court said the UTs and States must make arrangements of opening Anganwadis only after consulting their respective State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMA.)
Stay tuned for further updates.
