Supreme Court asks Centre to form a model scheme to fight hunger

The Supreme Court has directed the Modi govt to submit latest data on the number of people who died due to starvation in the country and frame a model policy to fight hunger.

When the Centre informed the top court that no state had given any data on starvation deaths, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana replied if the govt wanted them to believe that there have been no deaths due to hunger in the country.

Attorney General KK Venugopal told the bench that there are 134 schemes in place and more funds cannot be diverted to states as food grains are already being distributed to them.

The Supreme Court then asked the Centre to formulate a national model scheme for community kitchens, in consultation with states and other stakeholders, which can include extending additional logistics, resources and food grains.