GULAB CHANDRA PRAJAPATI Vs. THE UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard learned counsel for the parties.

(2.) Petitioner professing himself as a social activist and involved in issues relating to rights of marginalized and weaker sections of society such as woman and children as also movement for the protection of environment and culture under Damodar Bachao Abhiyan, has approached this Court in the instant Public Interest Litigation for implementation of mid-day meal scheme in all the eligible schools in the State of Jharkhand strictly as per the guidelines issued by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India. He has prayed for further direction upon the respondents to constitute an expert committee to monitor the implementation of the scheme and to take effective steps against the instances of wrong doing/corruption and negligence in execution of the scheme.

(3.) The matter was taken up earlier and on 14.02.2017 a counter affidavit was filed by the Secretary, School Education and Literacy Department, Government of Jharkhand. Status report relating to implementation of the scheme was called for from all the Deputy Commissioners by the State respondent through letter dated 25.01.2017. Status report of 8 districts i.e. Deoghar, Bokaro, Gumla, Lohardaga, Simdega, West Singhbhum, Jamtara and Latehar were received while the report of other districts was awaited. They are enclosed as Annexure-B series. It was stated by the respondent no. 5 that preparation of status report requires collection of huge data from schools upon its inspection and verification Therefore, it involves considerable amount of time.