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The Supreme court has granted three weeks’ time to the Union of India to come up with a model Community Kitchens Scheme  agreeable to the States/Union Territories. 

Further directions were issued to all the State Governments/Union Territories to attend the meeting to be organized by UoI and cooperate with them in coming up with the said Scheme, which can be made uniformly applicable to all the States/Union Territories. 

While hearing the matter yesterday, a CJI-led bench said, "we are not happy with the fact that the affidavit in this matter has been filed by the Under Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, New Delhi."

Accordingly, CJI Ramana and Justices AS Bopanna and Hima Kohli have directed that in the future some responsible Officer of the rank of Secretary shall file the affidavits in this matter.

A perusal of the affidavits and the submissions advanced by the Attorney General for India K.K. Venugopal and Additional Solicitor General Madhvi Divan, revealed that the proposed Community Kitchens Scheme was still under process and Centre was still obtaining suggestions from the States/Union Territories in the matter.

"In view of the above, finally three weeks’ time from today is granted to the Union of India to come up with a model Community Kitchens Scheme agreeable to the States/Union Territories. In case some of the States/Union Territories have any objection with the Scheme to be formulated by the Union of India, we will consider the same on the next date of hearing.", directed the Bench.

The petitioners had further informed the Court about the `issues note’ filed by them on November 9. Accordingly, the bench directed the government to take into consideration the said note while formulating the Scheme of Community Kitchens.

Last month, the top court had directed the Central Government to frame a scheme for pan-India Community Kitchens after consultation with the State Governments taking into consideration the existing policies.

This direction was issued in a plea which sought directions to establish community kitchens across the country to combat prevalent hunger, malnutrition & starvation and prevent the death of persons resulting thereof.

Cause Title: Anun Dhawan and Ors v. Union of India and Ors