It came on record that several states, including Gujarat, Delhi, Meghalaya and Sikkim, had already issued notifications to include orphaned children within the 25 per cent quota for those belonging to weaker sections and disadvantaged groups as prescribed in Section 12 (1) (c) of the law.Section 12 deals with extent of school’s responsibility for free and compulsory education.The bench said other states might also consider issuing similar notification and file a related affidavit on record.It posted the matter for September 9.During the hearing, the petitioner sought directions to the Centre to consider having a data of orphans in the upcoming census.”There must be a box with regard to orphans also,” the bench told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was appearing in some other matter.The bench said then the government would automatically get the data of orphan children.”It should be. I would take it up because orphans are our responsibility,” Mehta said.When the petitioner said the Centre should be asked to file a detailed affidavit on the aspects raised in the plea, the bench said it would consider all the issues.The bench observed there were Juvenile Justice Committee in all high courts and national consultations were also being held on these issues.
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