The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued suo motu notices to all states and Union Territories asking them to ensure that the midday meal scheme for children is not affected because of the closure of schools in view of the coronavirus outbreak.

The court also noted that the provision of giving nutritious food to lactating and nursing mothers through anganwadi centres should not suffer.

A bench of Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and Justices Bhushan Gavai and Surya Kant referred to the Kerala government's decision to home-deliver the midday meal to children, and suggested that the other states follow suit.

CJI Bobde said that at a time the country was grappling with the coronavirus pandemic, the problems should not be compounded by the malnourishment of children and lactating mothers on account of the closure of schools.

The court said in an order: “In order to prevent the spread of Covid-19, most states have directed the closure of schools. Some states have also directed the closure of anganwadis. The midday meal scheme under which nutritious food is supplied to children… is implemented through various schools in the states. The anganwadis, in addition to supplying nutritious food (to children), also implement the scheme of providing nutritious food to lactating and nursing mothers.

“On account of the shutdown of schools and anganwadis, the children as well as the lactating and nursing mothers would be deprived of the nutritious food. It is reported that in some districts, though the schools and anganwadis have been shut down, the parents have been told to pick up nutritious food for their children from such centres. Non-supply of nutritious food to the children as well as lactating and nursing mothers may lead to large-scale malnourishment.

“Particularly, the children and the lactating and nursing mothers in rural as well as tribal area are prone to such malnourishment. Such malnutrition may affect their immune system and as such, such children and lactating and nursing mothers would be more prone to catch the infection. While dealing with one crisis, the situation may not lead to the creation of another crisis.

“In that view of the matter, it is necessary that all the states should come out with a uniform policy so as to ensure that while preventing the spread of Covid-19, the schemes for providing nutritious food to the children and nursing and lactating mothers are not adversely affected.”

The court issued notices to the secretary, Union ministry of women and child development, as well as the chief secretaries, chief administrators and administrators of all states and Union Territories to respond through affidavits in a week.

While appointing senior advocate Sanjay Hegde as amicus curiae (friend of court) in the matter, the court posted the matter for further hearing to March 27.