SC summons Chief Secretaries of five states on Anganwadi issue

New Delhi, Jul 25 (UNI) The Supreme Court today directed the Chief Secretaries of Bihar, Orissa, Kerala, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, to be present in the court on August 28 to explain why its directions for making Anganwadis functional have not been carried out.

A bench, comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and S H Kapadia, also directed the Chief Secretaries to file their affidavits on or before August 24, explaining why the orders of the apex court had not been complied with.

All the states were directed to make Anganwadis cent per cent Anganwadis functional in their respective states , latest by July 15 and the court had warned that failure to do so would be viewed seriously.

The apex court may initiate contempt of court proceedings against the Chief Secretaries of the five states if their explanations were found unsatisfactory.

Anganwadis provide nourishing food to pregnant women working in them, and children, belonging to the weaker sections of the society.

The Supreme Court has pulled up these states earlier also.

Today's directions in this regard were issued on a PIL filed by People's Union For Civil Liberties(PUCL).

UNI