The Supreme Court on December 4 slapped a fine of Rs 1 lakh each on states of Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha for failing to create an online link to monitor implementation of mid-day meal schemes in government-run schools.
Also, a fine of Rs 2 lakh has been imposed on Delhi for failing to do so.
An SC bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur also took on the state governments for not complying with the directions of the apex court on the issue yet.
The top court bench asked the states to deposit the amount with the Supreme Court Legal Services Authority within the time frame of four weeks.
This direction came after counsel appearing for the petitioner told the SC that these states have yet not created a link on their websites as asked by the court.
On 23 March 2017, the top court had asked state governments and Union Territories to upload information, including the total number of students getting the benefit of the mid-day meal scheme, within three months on their websites.
