2024:CGHC:46539-DB NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPPIL No. 94 of 2024 In The Matter of Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation, Regarding News Item, Namely, “Bacche Khane Se Kar Rahe Inkaar, Madhyanh Bhojan Yojana Shahri Kshetra Me Tod Rahi Dum, Daal Aur Achaar Mil Raha”, “Central Kitchen Se Mila Ghatiya Khaana Jaanwaron Ko Khila Rahe Ya Phek Rahe”, Published in daily news paper Navbharat, My City, dated

14.11.2024.

... Petitioner versus

1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through The Chief Secretary, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Nawa Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

2 - State of Chhattisgarh Through The Secretary, Women And Child Development, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Nawa Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

3 – Director, Directorate Women And Child Development Department, Indrawati Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Nawa Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

4 - The Collector, District Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.

5 - Project Officer, Women And Child Development Bilaspur, District Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.

6 - District Education Officer Bilaspur , District - Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh

7 - Block Education Officer, Belha District Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.

... Respondents For State : Mr. Shashank Thakur, Deputy Advocate General.

Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Hon'ble Shri Amitendra Kishore Prasad , Judge

Order on Board

Per Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice

27.11.2024

1. Heard Mr. Shashank Thakur, learned Deputy Advocate General, appearing for the State/respondents.

2. This public interest litigation has been registered on suo moto cognizance taken by this Court on the basis of news item published in Daily News Paper Navbharat, My City, dated 14.11.2024. It has been published that in schools children are getting only rice, dal and pickle in the name of mid-day meal. Its quality is very bad. Due to this, most of the children have stopped eating the mid-day meal provided by the Central Kitchen. Therefore, it is being fed to animals. Due to which, at the time of mid-day meal, a herd of cows roams outside most of the schools in the city to eat the food. It has been also published that students of the Government Primary and Middle School, Rajendra Nagar do not eat the mid-day meal coming from the Central Kitchen due to its poor quality. Therefore, a big pit has been made on the main road near the gate of Rajendra Nagar School. Food is dumped there daily. The cattle roaming around come and eat it.

3. The case was listed for hearing on 14.11.2024 before this Court and this Court after hearing learned State counsel, had directed the respondent No.6/District Education Officer, Bilaspur to file his personal affidavit with regard to news item published in Daily News Paper Navbharat, My City, dated 14.11.2024.

4. In compliance of the said order, an affidavit has been filed by the respondent No.6/District Education Officer, Bilaspur on

26.11.2024, which reads as follows :

“1. That the present affidavit is being filed in compliance of the order dated 14/11/2024 passed by the Hon'ble Court.

2. That, the instant Public Interest Litigation has been registered by this Hon'ble Court taking suo moto cognizance of the news item published in Daily Newspaper Nav Bharat My City dated 14/11/2024.

3. That, 14/11/2024 the matter was listed before the Hon'ble Court for hearing and taking cognizance of the said news item, the Hon'ble Court was pleased to direct the respondent no 6/ District Education Officer Bilaspur to file his personal affidavit with regard to news items published in Daily News paper Nav Bharat My city dated 14/11/2024.

4. That, in compliance of the order passed by the Hon'ble Court dated 06/11/2024, having the highest regards and great respect for the lawful authority of this Hon'ble Court and the orders and directions issued from time to time, the deponent respectfully submits as under -

a. That the news item has been published in Daily Newspaper Nav Bharat My City dated 14/11/2024 wherein it has been reported that in schools, children are getting only rice, dal and pickle in the name of mid- day meal and its quality i