Jodhpur, Aug 25 (UNI) The Rajasthan High Court has imposed a ban on the sale of junk food and soft drinks in school canteens and within a 50-metre radius of all schools.
While taking suo motu cognizance of issues concerning schoolchildren, including their health and nutritional needs, excessive screen time, paper leaks, and dilapidated school buildings and infrastructure, a single bench of Justice Anup Kumar Dhand on Monday ordered the registration of a PIL in the matter.
The court also directed the issuance of show-cause notices to the Centre and the state government through the union Education and Food Secretaries, the state Chief Secretary, the Additional Chief Secretaries of the Education and Food and Civil Supplies departments, and others, with the notices made returnable within eight weeks.
In the directives to concerned authorities, the bench said that high-fat, high-sugar and high-salt, (junk) food items, carbonated drinks, chips, and bakery items with trans-fat, be totally prohibited in the restricted school areas.
Strict monitoring about quality, hygiene and nutritional value of mid-day meals, be also ensured and the food security committees comprising teachers, parents and students also be constituted in each and every school.
The judge also directed formulation of an action plan effecting implementation of the students-youth welfare related policies.
The court further expressed the need of an appropriately balanced and duly guided application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and related technology in digital learning by children.
UNI SKS ATP AAB