- 1 - IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY BENCH AT AURANGABAD WRIT PETITION NO.10727/2010 Maharashtra Mahila Prashikshan, Bal Sadan, Balak Ashram, Bal Gruh, Swyanshevi Sanstha Chalak Sangh, Latur, through its President Shri Ramdas s/o Jaisingrao Chavan, age 57 yrs., r/o Latur Dist.Latur. ...Petitioner.. Versus 1] The State of Maharashtra, through its Principal Secretary, Maharashtra State, Mantralaya, Mumbai. 2] The Secretary, Women & Child Development Department, Maharashtra State, Mantralaya, Mumbai. 3] The Commissioner, Women and Child Development, Maharashtra State, Pune. ...Respondents... ..... Shri N.P. Patil, Advocate for petitioner. Shri K.G. Patil, AGP for respondent nos.1 to 3. ..... CORAM: MOHIT S. SHAH, CJ. & B.R. GAVAI, J. DATE: 30.11.2010 - 2 - PER COURT : 1] The petitioner, who is a non-governmental organization, claims to be in association with the institutions running Bal Sadans, Balak Ashrams, Orphanages etc. through the State of Maharashtra. Through this petition, the grievance made is that such institutions are not being given building rent in spite of the fact that such grant is made available to many other institutions running Ashram schools. The petitioner states that the institutions, which are members of the petitioner association, provide services to children, who are covered by the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 and that such institutions provide facilities for accommodation as well as meals to the juveniles. However, the institutions are merely given grant at the rate of Rs.315/- per juvenile per month for clothes, residence, salary of employees, building rent etc., which is very meager to meet the requirements of juveniles. The petitioner contends that it is necessary to have separate fund by way of building rent. The petitioner points out that for each juvenile / child, 65 sq.fts. place in the building is mandatory, for 10 children one bath-room and for 7 children one toilet is required to be provided in the building. The building should be well equipped with good ventilation. It is, therefore, submitted that the institutions are required to spend substantial amounts for construction as well as maintenance of the buildings. Hence, the Government should give separate grant to the institutions for building rent. 2] The petitioner further relies on the letter dated 5.2.2007 from the - 3 - Commissioner of Women and Child Development addressed to the Secretary of Women and Child Development Department, Mumbai (Exhibit B) and also the report dated 19.6.2007 (Exhibit C) from the Deputy Commissioner (Child Development) in the Commissionerate of Women and Child Development to the Under Secretary, Women and Child Development Department of the State Government. Relying on the aforesaid letter and the report, it is submitted that the Government is required to be directed to provide building rent grant to the institutions running Bal Gruhas. 3] Having heard the learned counsel for the parties, it appears that the State Government has not yet taken any final decision in the matter and, therefore, it would be appropriate to dispose of this petition with a direction that the State Government in the Women and Child Development Department, Mantralaya, Mumbai, shall take decision in the subject matter of this petition as expeditiously as possible and preferably within four months from the date of receipt of this order. Writ petition is accordingly disposed of in terms of above order with no order as to costs. (B.R. GAVAI, J.) CHIEF JUSTICE ndk/c3011101