JUDGMENT :

S.MANIKUMAR, J

Instant public interest writ petition is filed for a writ of mandamus directing State of Kerala, represented by the Principal Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, Thiruvananthapuram, respondent No.1, and Department of Health and Family Welfare, represented by the Additional Chief Secretary, Thiruvananthapuram, respondent No.2, to implement Exhibit-P5 order of the State Commission for Protection for child rights.

2. Petitioner has sought for a further direction to respondents 1 and 2 to take emergent steps to establish Therapy Centers for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other neurological disabilities in line with Persons With Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 2016 (49 of 2016), (hereinafter called 'Act, 2016'), which came into force with effect from 19.4.2017.

3. A counter affidavit has been filed on behalf of State of Kerala, Represented by the Principal Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, Secretariat, Trivandrum, 1st respondent, to the effect that the Act, 2016 was enforced on 19.4.2017. A