JUDGMENT :

PANKAJ BHATIA, J.

1. Heard Shri Mrinal Chandra, learned counsel for the petitioner; Shri Dev Rishi Kumar, learned counsel for respondent/Union of India and Shri Mukund Madhav Asthana, learned counsel appearing for the Mid Day Meal Authority.

2. Present petition has been filed highlighting the plight of workers who are engaged in preparing the mid day meals across various government run and government aided schools.

3. Contention of learned counsel for the petitioner is, that the petitioner is a union representing the persons who are employed as Cooks for preparing Mid Day Meal in the institutions run and aided by the government. The petitioner Union is a registered trade union. It is stated that with an aim of providing nutrition to the children in various schools of the District of Uttar Pradesh, Central Government and State Government, on cost sharing basis run a programme known as ‘Mid Day Meal Programme’ under the National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education.

4. It is informed that the decision for providing nutritional support to the children initia