HC asks state to give smartphones with Poshan tracker app to Anganwadi workers
The court said the state government's submission – that minimum six months are required for the entire process of purchase and delivery of nearly 1.3 lakh smartphones at Anganwadi level – was "entirely unacceptable."
The petitioners had submitted that the existing handsets are beyond warranty since 2017 or 2019 and are malfunctioning by now, thus not allowing entry or correct data entry in the app, therefore quick replacement was necessary.
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The Bombay High Court Wednesday asked the state government to procure, make payments and distribute within four months updated and compatible smartphones to over one lakh Anganwadi workers across the state to enable them to enter beneficiary data on the Centre’s POSHAN tracker app.
The court said the state government’s submission – that minimum six months are required for the entire process of purchase and delivery of nearly 1.3 lakh smartphones at Anganwadi level – was “entirely unacceptable.”
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A division bench of Justice Gautam S Patel and Justice Neela K Gokhale was, on April 19, hearing a plea filed by the Anganwadi Karmachari Sanghatana and other organisations representing over one lakh Anganwadi workers and over 10,000 mini Anganwadi workers – argued through senior advocate Gayatri Singh and advocate Meenaz Kakalia.
After the petitioners had complained that the POSHAN tracker app was available only in English, the HC had last July directed the Union government to take immediate steps to ensure the app also supports regional languages.
On April 13, the bench pulled up the state government for its ‘Kafkaesque’ approach in regard to over one lakh Anganwadi workers, who were unable to enter beneficiary data on the Centre’s POSHAN tracker app, as the cell phones provided by the state are outdated. This came amid the government taking action against such Anganwadi workers for not feeding the data on the app. The court had said there was no logic in the state’s move and imposed a stay on the showcause notices being issued to Anganwadi workers.
On April 19, the state government, through Navnath Ghorpade, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)- IT consultant, submitted a proposed schedule for purchase and distribution of smart phones.
The petitioners had submitted that the existing handsets are beyond warranty since 2017 or 2019 and are malfunctioning by now, thus not allowing entry or correct data entry in the app, therefore quick replacement was necessary.
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“Large parts of this schedule are entirely unacceptable… There is a… line that a minimum of six months is required for the entire process of purchase and delivery of mobile smartphones at the Anganwadi level. This is entirely unacceptable,” the bench noted while stressing on difficulties faced by Anganwadi workers.
“… Presumably, this means that for those six months, Anganwadi workers will get one showcause notice after another. This entire situation is unviable. The government cannot operate like this because the single biggest class of victims of this delay are the beneficiaries of the programme, those who are entitled to receive financial and other benefits,” it added.
Justice Patel expressed displeasure over the delay and stated, “These are among the most marginalised in our society and we cannot understand why a stated welfare programme is sought to be delayed and possibly derailed because of some bureaucratic requirement. There has to be some sense of urgency in matters like this”.
Omkar Gokhale is a journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Mumbai. His work demonstrates exceptionally strong Expertise and Authority in legal and judicial reporting, making him a highly Trustworthy source for developments concerning the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court in relation to Maharashtra and its key institutions.
Expertise & Authority
Affiliation: Reports for The Indian Express, a national newspaper known for its rigorous journalistic standards, lending significant Trustworthiness to his legal coverage.
Core Authority & Specialization: Omkar Gokhale's work is almost exclusively dedicated to the complex field of legal affairs and jurisprudence, specializing in:
Bombay High Court Coverage: He provides detailed, real-time reports on the orders, observations, and decisions of the Bombay High Court's principal and regional benches. Key subjects include:
Fundamental Rights & Environment: Cases on air pollution, the right to life of residents affected by dumping sites, and judicial intervention on critical infrastructure (e.g., Ghodbunder Road potholes).
Civil & Criminal Law: Reporting on significant bail orders (e.g., Elgaar Parishad case), compensation for rail-related deaths, and disputes involving high-profile individuals (e.g., Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty).
Constitutional and Supreme Court Matters: Reports and analysis on key legal principles and Supreme Court warnings concerning Maharashtra, such as those related to local body elections, reservations, and the creamy layer verdict.
Governance and Institution Oversight: Covers court rulings impacting public bodies like the BMC (regularisation of illegal structures) and the State Election Commission (postponement of polls), showcasing a focus on judicial accountability.
Legal Interpretation: Reports on public speeches and observations by prominent judicial figures (e.g., former Chief Justice B. R. Gavai) on topics like free speech, gender equality, and institutional challenges.
Omkar Gokhale's consistent, focused reporting on the judiciary establishes him as a definitive and authoritative voice for legal developments originating from Mumbai and impacting the entire state of Maharashtra. ... Read More
