The Bombay High Court yesterday issued notices to Maharashtra government and State Women and Child Development Minister Pankaja Munde in response to a PIL seeking a ban on distribution of chikki to anganwadi children. The petition filed by Sandeep Ahire also demanded ban on manufacturing of chikki by the three suppliers who were awarded contracts by the state government. <br/><br/>Apart from Minister Pankaja Munde and the Maharashtra government; the division bench has also sought replies from Chief Secretary, the Commissioner of Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) and the three chikki manufacturers. All the respondents have to file replies by July 20. In yesterday's hearing the petitioner clarified that the PIL was solely based on media reports and he personally had not received any complaints. Pune-based activist Hemant Patil has filed a PIL on the same issue which is yet to come up for hearing. The plea was filed after Pankaja Munde was accused of irregularities in procurement of items worth Rs 206 crore including chikki for anganwadi schools that allegedly had traces of clay.