(Madan B. Lokur and N.V. Ramana, JJ.)
Swaraj Abhiyan ____________________________________ Petitioner
v.
Union of India & Ors. _____________________________ Respondent(s)
Writ Petition(s) (Civil) No(s). 857/2015, decided on August 9, 2017
(With IA No. 68433/2017-Exemption From Personal Appearance and IA No. 68477/2017-Exemption From Filing O.T.)
The Order of the court was delivered by
Order
1. Pursuant to the order dated 26.04.2017, State of Madhya Pradesh has constituted State Food Commission.
2. The Chief Secretary of State of Karnataka is present in Court. He says that the State Food Commission has been constituted.
3. As far as the State of Andhra Pradesh is concerned, the Chief Secretary is present and he says that the State Food Commission has been constituted.
4. As far as the State of Maharashtra is concerned, the Chief Secretary is present. He says that the State Food Commission has been constituted and suitable persons belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have been appointed.
5. The Chief Secretary of Bihar is present in Court. He says that two persons have been appointed to the State Food Commission which is now duly constituted.
6. In so far as the constitution of State Food Commission in Haryana is concerned, it is stated by learned counsel for the State of Haryana that the matter is actually being heard in the High Court and is now listed on 18.08.2017.
7. Although this writ petition is confined to ten States, we have brought it to the notice of the learned Attorney General that since we are dealing with Parliamentary Statute namely National Food Security Act, 2013, it would be appropriate if the provisions of the Act are faithfully implemented in all the States and the Union Territories of the country.
8. The learned Attorney General has assured us that the matter will be taken up with due earnestness and the provisions of the National Food Security Act, 2013 will be implemented in all the States and the Union Territories. All efforts will be made by the Central Government in this regard.
9. With regard to the issues pertaining to the MNREGA scheme and the Act, learned counsel for the petitioner says that there are only three issues that he would like to highlight namely:
(i) Delay in payment of wages and compensation;
(ii) Reduction in person days from States projection; and
(iii) Absence of social audit being conducted.
10. A detailed affidavit has been filed by the Union of India on 09.08.2017. A response to this will be filed during the course of the day by learned counsel for the petitioner.
11. List the matter for disposal on these three issues on 05.12.2017 at 2.00 p.m.
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