CUTTACK: Taking a strong view of the failure of the State Government in provisioning drinking water supply to all anganwadi centres despite its orders, the High Court on Monday issued show-cause notices to the Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department and the Secretary, Rural Development Department.Expressing displeasure over the inaction of the officials, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice V Goplagowda and Justice BN Mohapatra directed the secretaries to show cause as to why disciplinary proceedings shall not be initiated against them for not implementing the orders. The order had been issued during hearing of a PIL on large-scale corruption in supply of arhar dal to schools under the Mid-Day Meal Programme and allegation of no drinking water facility in 9,543 anganwadi centres. The court had specifically directed that the Secretary of Rural Development Department should take steps on a war-footing to address the non-availability of pure drinking water by end of June this year. In course of hearing and on consideration of the affidavits filed by the Secretaries of Rural Development and Women and Child Development Departments, the Bench found that the steps taken were not satisfactory and accordingly directed to submit show-cause reply. The court has fixed the next hearing to December 14.The Government has filed its counter-affidavit stating that food items are being purchased by a committee after finalisation of the price with effect from April 1 this year.
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