Full Judgment
$~5 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 4507/2017 % Date of Decision:
15. h December, 2017 ASHMEEN Through: Mr. Deepak Kuamar Singh, ........ Petitioner
versus Adv. DEPARTMENT OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND ANR ..... Respondent Through: Mr. Sanjoy Ghose, ASC for R-1/GNCTD. Mr. Dev P. Bhardwaj, CGSC for UOI/R-2. CORAM: HON'BLE THE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C.HARI SHANKAR JUDGMENT (ORAL) GITA MITTAL, ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE1 This writ petition relates to the implementation of the benefits under the National Food Security Act, 2013 in the slum cluster of Holambi Kalan area of Delhi.
2. It is contended that the pregnant and lactating women have been facing challenge in getting the cash assistance benefit under Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY). This writ petition seeks directions to the respondents to ensure implementation of the grievance redressal mechanism under the statutory enactment. W.P.(C) No.4507/2017 Page 1 of 3 3. The respondent No.2-Union of India has filed the counter affidavit explaining that Indira Gandhi Maitritva Sahyog Yojana for pregnant women and lactating mothers was launched in October, 2010 on pilot basis in 53 districts across the country. Initially, monetary benefit of Rs.4000/- was being disbursed under this Scheme. This maternity benefit was revised from Rs.4000/- to Rs.6000/- with effect from 5th July, 2013 with the enactment of National Food Security Act, 2013. The said Scheme was implemented through the State Governments and Union Territories and the performance/proper implementation of the Scheme was directly linked to the governance of the State.
4. Indiria Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana stands substituted by Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) with effect from 1st January, 2017.
5. At present, the amount of Rs. 6000/- is disbursed in two instalments. While an amount of Rs.5000/- is being released under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, rest of the amount i.e. Rs.1000/- is being disbursed under the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JYS).
6. The respondents have set out the amount under the said Scheme between 2010 to 2017.
7. The respondent No.1 has filed the counter affidavit informing this Court that difficulties were being faced with regard to identification of the beneficiaries for want of details of the Aadhaar card and as a result thereof, the same was not linked with their bank accounts. W.P.(C) No.4507/2017 Page 2 of 3 Mr. Sanjoy Ghose, ld. Addl. Standing Counsel for the Govt. of NCT of Delhi submits that these difficulties are being ironed out and all the problems would be expeditiously sorted out.
8. In view of the above, this writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondents to strictly abide by the terms of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana and Janani Suraksha Yojana. The respondents shall ensure that the said the Schemes are strictly and efficiently implemented and all the benefits thereunder are released to the beneficiaries.
9. The respondent No.1 shall also examine and implement awareness programmes regarding the availability of the Schemes for the large population of Delhi. Writ petition is disposed of in the above terms. DECEMBER15 2017/pmc ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE C.HARI SHANKAR, J W.P.(C) No.4507/2017 Page 3 of 3