Maa Durga Hmahila Samity(Self Help Gorup) And Others v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

S/L 26 07.01.2026 Court No.18 SD

IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA

CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION WPA 9585 of 2024 Maa Durga Mahila Samity (Self Help Group) & Anr. Vs.

The State of West Bengal & Ors.

Mr. Suvro Prokash Lahiri Mr. Rajesh Naskar Mr. Ankan Mondal ... for the Petitioners.

Mr. Joydip Banerjee ... for the State.

1.

The matter relates to cooking and supplying mid-day meal in a school. The petitioners claim to be in charge of cooking and supplying the mid-day meal to the children of the school in the past but allege that the self-help group of the petitioners has since been ousted.

2.

It has been submitted that there are several selfhelp groups who are performing the aforesaid duty at present. The petitioners are not getting any chance. 3.

Learned advocate representing the State respondents relies upon the guidelines relating to the mid-day meal programme of the State.

4.

It appears therefrom that the Headmaster / Headmistress / Teacher-in-Charge is the pivotal person in running the mid-day meal scheme in the school and to ensure uninterrupted running of the programme. The Village Education Committee and the Managing Committee of the school are to monitor the

mid-day meal programme. The Committee is to engage the self-help groups following the norms prescribed. 5.

In the instant case, it appears that there is constant infighting in between the self-help groups to perform the service of providing mid-day meal to the children.

6.

Despite notice, the school is unrepresented. The notice showing service upon the Headmaster / Teacher-in-Charge of the said school including the postal receipt and the track report filed in Court is taken on record.

7.

In view of the above, the District Magistrate is directed to consider the grievance of the petitioner after giving reasonable opportunity of hearing to the Headmaster of the school and the other necessary parties and particularly the self-help groups who are performing the duties of the mid-day meal scheme in the said school and find out a solution of the problem that has cropped up.

8.

A decision will be taken by the District Magistrate at the earliest but positively within a period of twelve weeks from the date of communication of this order. The decision of the District Magistrate shall be communicated to all the parties.

9.

At the time of taking the decision, the guidelines framed by the State in respect to mid-day meal programme of the State shall be taken note of.

10.

All parties will be permitted to rely upon documents in support of their respective stand. 11.

The writ petition stands disposed of.

12.

Parties to act on the basis of the server copy of this order duly downloaded from the official website of this Court.

(Amrita Sinha, J.)