GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 19th Feb. The Supreme Court on Wednesday underscored the need for designated spaces for child care and infant feeding in public buildings, directing state governments to ensure such facilities were provided.
A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Prasanna B Varale stated that these facilities would offer privacy to mothers and benefit infants. “In public buildings at the planning and construction stage, state governments must reserve sufficient space for such purposes,” the bench noted.
The court was hearing a plea seeking the establishment of feeding rooms and child care facilities in public spaces. The Centre informed the court that the Ministry of Women and Child Development had issued an advisory on February 27, 2024, to all states and union territories (UTs) on this matter.
Satisfied with the advisory, the bench observed that ensuring privacy and ease for nursing mothers aligned with fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 15(3) of the Constitution. The court directed the Centre to issue a reminder to states and UTs, incorporating the advisory and the court’s order, within two weeks.
The plea highlighted the absence of a concrete law mandating such spaces and sought measures to safeguard the rights of nursing mothers and infants. With the assurance that states complying with the advisory would serve the plea’s purpose, the court disposed of the matter.
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