The Supreme Court has asked the Centre if state commissions for women (SCW) actually exist in our country.

The court raised the doubt as it dealt with the issue of deplorable conditions faced by poor widows living in Vrindavan and other places.

The Supreme court, while hearing a matter relating to the condition of such widows in the country, the petition stated that if SCWs did not exist in the states, then the concerned state governments should be asked to ensure setting up of such panels.

A bench headed by Justice M B Lokur said “The solicitor general should also inform us whether the SCW is actually existing in all the state governments and if not, then a communication to the state governments be sent to ensure that these SCW should be in place in accordance with the statute,”

The Centre informed the bench comprising of Justices S Abdul Nazeer and Deepak Gupta, that it would furnish an affidavit on the agreed roadmap, which contains several steps required to be taken to improve the pathetic conditions of the widows.The court further directed the Centre to do the needful within six weeks.

The court scheduled the next hearing on December 6.