Ensure distribution of eggs, sanitary napkins to students amid COVID-19 Pandemic: Madras HC to State

The Madras High Court yesterday stood by its Monday order directing that the State Government should ensure the distribution of eggs along with dry rations for students enrolled for the Mid-Day meal scheme amid the COVID-19 pandemic..The Court’s order also calls on the Tamil Nadu Government to ensure the distribution of sanitary napkins for such school going girls..Whereas the Court had issued the directions on Monday, the Government had urged the Court to keep the order in abeyance for a day..Yesterday, Advocate General Vijay Narayan appeared for the State before a Bench of Justices MM Sundresh and R Hemalatha in the matter..During yesterday’s hearing AG Narayan urged the Court, inter alia, to clarify that the order is only applicable for the pandemic period and that the Mid-Day Meal scheme already in place would revive once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides and the situation normalises..The Court, on its part, agreed to clarify the same in its order..The Bench, yesterday, also observed that it had only directed the Government to ensure that the provision of eggs does not cease amid the pandemic. How the eggs can be distributed is left to the Government, the Court pointed out..On the concern being raised by a counsel, the Court also clarified that the children need not go to the school amid the pandemic to get the eggs, sanitary napkins and dry rations. .The Court emphasised that only one parent need to go to the school to collect these items. The clarification was made in view of the submissions by a counsel that the usual practice is for the children to go to school so that the headmaster may distribute the eggs..The Court also pointed out that there were several teachers and other staff at the disposal of the Tamil Nadu Government to help distribute these items amid the pandemic, especially since the schools are shut during this period. .The Court, therefore, observed that there should be no issue in ensuring the distribution of eggs, rations etc. during this time, particularly since it is in the interest of the welfare of children..Taking note of concerns that it may be difficult to carry out the delivery of boiled eggs since the cooked food will not last as long as dry rations, the Court noted that raw eggs in packets can be distributed..During the course of the hearing, the Court also orally observed that it had issued these directions for the distribution of eggs in the interest of the children, since it is more likely that the targeted families would enjoy consuming the nutritious meal, as opposed to other rations such as dal which may not be as appealing.

Ensure distribution of eggs, sanitary napkins to students amid COVID-19 Pandemic: Madras HC to State

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