PIL seeking infra facilities in schools of J&K, Ladakh
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 12: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking improvement in infrastructure facilities in respect of primary and secondary schools in urban and rural areas of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh as well as proper maintenance of students-teachers ratio, a Division Bench of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court comprising Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Rajnesh Oswal has granted four weeks time as last and final opportunity for filing latest affidavit in terms of order dated 12.08.2024.
In compliance to the earlier direction, Director School Education, Ladakh filed an affidavit on 24.11.2023 highlighting major steps taken for improvement of schools in respect of School Education Department, UT of Ladakh from 2020-21 up to 31.07.2023. In the affidavit it has been deposed that for drinking water facility for Classes IX & X, eight works were sanctioned in the financial year 2021-22, out of which only 2 stands completed and the remaining 6 have not yet been taken up.
For girls toilets for Classes IX & X, two works were sanctioned, out of which one stands completed and the remaining one has not yet been taken up. Similarly, for boundary walls of schools, 195 works were sanctioned for the financial year 2022-23, out of which only 9 stands completed, whereas 90 are under progress and 96 have not yet been taken up. As regards dilapidated buildings, one work was sanctioned and the same is under progress.
“Strange enough that many of the works sanctioned during the financial year 2021-22 and 2022-23, more particularly the toilet and drinking water facilities for girls students, have not yet taken up. Accordingly, Director School Education, Ladakh is directed to file fresh affidavit indicating the number of works completed as on today, how many are under progress and how many have not yet been started”, the DB said.
While filing the affidavit, Director School Education, Ladakh shall also take into consideration the directions passed in paragraph-9 of order dated 26.07.2023, the DB added.
The DB further observed, “this court vide order dated 18.12.2013 had requested the Commissioner/Secretary, School Education Department, J&K to examine the issue relating to the hygiene of the girls students and other issues be also given priority. On the said date the Commissioner/Secretary, School Education Department also assured the court that he would personally monitor these activities so that the grievances are addressed to the satisfaction of the concerned. He also assured that by the end of this financial year most of the issues would be resolved”.
Accordingly, Commissioner/ Secretary, School Education Department, J&K has been directed to file the latest action taken report in terms of order dated 18.12.2023 well before the next date of hearing. “He shall also convene virtual meeting in terms of the earlier order and apprise the court on the next date with regard to the outcome of meeting and the action taken thereon”, the DB added.
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