Renovation work of site for creche be executed forthwith: SC

The Supreme Court today directed that renovation and repair work at the site where a creche of the apex court would be shifted, should be executed forthwith.
A bench comprising Justices Ranjan Gogoi and Navin Sinha perused the report filed by the Secretary General of the apex court which said the registry would make available floor area of 1,680 square feet in the new annexe building for shifting of the creche, currently located at the new lawyer's chambers.
The report said the Central Public Works Department would take about six months to carry out necessary renovation and repairs to make the site suitable.

"In addition, it has been stated that an open area of about 500 square feet in front of the premises to be allotted will be made available to facilitate the purpose of the creche," the bench noted in its order.
"While recording the above statement made in the report of the Secretary General, Supreme Court of India, we now direct renovation, repair work, etc to be executed forthwith and implemented as expeditiously as possible," it said.
The matter pertains to a PIL filed by advocate Anindita Pujari who had sought better creche facilities in the court complex so that more children could be kept there by working parents.

In its order, the bench also said that office bearers of the Superme Court Bar Association, including its President, petitioner's counsel Indira Jaising along with the lawyer for court registry would be consulted in the course of renovation work and also in making the new facility operational.

The bench said the registry would discuss the terms of admission to the creche and the fees payable, if any, with the lawyers before arriving at a decision.
"We would request the Secretary General, Supreme Court of India to file a report of the progress made in the light of what we have stated above within a period of three months from today," the bench said and posted the matter for November 9.

Earlier, the apex court had observed that creche service in the court premises was inadequate while asking the registry to see whether there was any prospect for expanding its service within the available infrastructure.