“All the ideas you have seems OK. Government of India has wonderful laws, ideas and <g data-gr-id="41">schemes</g> but the things are different on the ground,” a social justice bench comprising justices Madan B Lokur and <g data-gr-id="40">U U</g> Lalit said.
The observations came while Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court about the schemes which the government has formulated for the welfare of children.
The ASG said the government had introduced a scheme named <g data-gr-id="44">Sabla</g> in 2010-11 on a pilot basis, which was being implemented in 205 districts across all states and union territories. <g data-gr-id="45">Sabla</g> aims at <g data-gr-id="43">all-round</g> development of adolescent girls of 11-18 years by making them “self-reliant”. The scheme has two components of nutrition and non-nutrition with the former aiming at improving the health and nutrition status of the adolescent girls, the latter addresses their developmental needs.
“It is a wonderful scheme but what is happening? <g data-gr-id="39">You people</g> do a lot of work, make plans but what happens? Ground realities are completely different,” the bench said.
Update national policy on older people: SC to Centre
The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre to update its national policy that envisages state support to ensure <g data-gr-id="70">financial</g> and food security, health care, shelter and other needs of older persons across the country. The social justice bench <g data-gr-id="65">comrpising</g> justices Madan B Lokur and <g data-gr-id="66">U U</g> Lalit <g data-gr-id="68">said</g> “national policy on old age homes is <g data-gr-id="67">15 year old</g>. You need to update it. So much has happened since 1999.” The court said that revisiting the 1999 NPOP has become necessary in the wake of the enactment of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.