The High Court on Tuesday issued contempt notice to the Delhi government on a plea alleging that it failed to comply with the court’s directions on implementation of grievance redressal and accountability measures under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
A Bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V. Kameswar Rao issued notice on a contempt petition filed by Delhi Rozi Roti Adhikar Abhiyan. It has posted the case for further hearing on March 5.
On September 1, 2017, the High Court had directed the government to frame rules and operationalise all provisions of the NFSA in a time-bound manner.
The contempt plea said that NFSA provides for mandatory periodic social audits and setting up of a State Food Commission. Further, the law also requires appointment of District Grievance Redressal Officers and transparency of ration related records. The plea said that till date, the Delhi government has not complied with the orders of the High Court.
The plea said it has not framed rules for implementing the grievance redressal and accountability provisions under the NFSA and no social audit has been undertaken. There is no functional State Food Commission in Delhi, it added.
Proper implementation of the NFSA is crucial to ensure food security for the poor and marginalised, the organisation said.
