"Shocking state of Affairs:" Karnataka High Court directs State to take immediate steps to provide electricity, toilets, fans at Anganwadis

The Karnataka High Court on Monday directed the State government to take immediate steps to provide electricity and toilet facilities at all Anganwadi centers in the State..A Division Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Suraj Govindaraj also expressed its shock at the state of infrastructure in Anganwadi centres while hearing a suo motu case in this regard. .“Compliance regarding basic infrastructure to anganwadi centers has been reported. The statements made therein show a shocking state of affairs,” the order said. .The suo motu petition was initiated on the basis of a letter addressed by a Non-Government Organization, seeking to identify and aid all children suffering from moderate to severe malnutrition in the State..A report submitted by the State government revealed that only 33,146 of the 65,911 anganwadi centers in the State enjoyed electricity connection. The Court was further informed that only 29,516 centers have been provided with fans while toilet facility was available only in 44,025 Anganwadis..“We direct the state government to take immediate steps for providing electricity supply to all anganwadi centers and to supply fans to all centers. We direct the state government to ensure that as per recommendations toilets shall be provided to 65,911 centers,” the Court ordered. .The Court also urged the State to ensure that adequate anganwadis are established in Bengaluru. .“In fact the recommendation contemplates separate toilets for boys/girls and disabled children. State will have to take a note of the recommendations. State government shall ensure that an adequate number of anganwadi centers are established in the city of Bengaluru,” the order said. .The Court further directed that the State government has to comply with the directions in a phased manner. An affidavit setting out the times lines for reporting compliance has to be filed by June 11, the Court aded. .Measures for malnourished children, lactating mothers: Karnataka High Court constitutes committee headed by Justice AN Venugopala Gowda.The High Court had, in January, constituted a committee headed by its former judge, Justice AN Venugopala Gowda to monitor the identification, medical examination and treatment of malnourished children, adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers in the State.