PRABIR KUMAR DAS Vs. STATE OF ODISHA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The above two writ petitions have been filed in the nature of Public Interest Litigation with following prayers.

(2.) Mr. J. Katikia appearing for the petitioner in W.P. (C) No. 12553 of 2012 submitted that the Anganwadi Centre was running in a very old and dilapidated house separately attached to the Primary School of Suansia village. Though the Primary School building was constructed under Sarva Sikshya Abhiyan, the Anganwadi Centre was a house having mud and brick wall with tin roof running in a very dilapidated condition. The condition of wall of the house was precarious. On the very day, the children of the Anganwadi Centre were sitting and waiting for their meal. When the Anganwadi Worker had gone to bring food for them wall of the said house collapsed. After this incident, the Sub-Collector reached the spot and suspended the Anganwadi Worker and Helper along with the Headmistress of the Primary School.

(3.) Mr. J. Katikia submitted that Government of India implements Integrated Child Development Scheme, which is the oldest programme for the children below six years. The said Scheme is implemented without any accountability at any level. There is a clear governance deficit in respect of regulation of Early Childhood Care and Education even though it is a part of the Directive Principles of State Policy under Article 45 of the Constitution read with Section 11 of Right to Education Act, 2009.