Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Oct 17: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court today took serious note of opening of flood affected schools without any safety certification by the authorities.
The Division bench of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court comprising Chief Justice M M Kumar and Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar while hearing a Public Interest Litigation initiated on an open appeal made by the parents of the school children issued notices to the Government to file their response.
The court directed the Government to see whether the School or College buildings belonging to Government and private managements, which have been thrown open for the children from class LKG to 10+2 and higher classes, are structurally sound. “In other words, is there any certification to the effect that there is no apprehension of their collapsing which may result in loss of life?” court asked.
The court also directed whether the school or College buildings have been cleaned and disinfected by the authorities to ensure that there is no health hazard particularly for the children who have low immunity.
The court asked to Government to supply list of all flood hit schools and colleges which have been thrown open. The court has also asked Government whether safety and disinfection certificates have been issued to them.
“They do not need to wait for any further directions from this Court and shall proceed to undertake the exercise of examining the buildings for their safety in the light of the observations made by court and issuance of certificates about their structural soundness. They shall also undertake the exercise and certify that the schools/College buildings are hygienically conducive for the students to use. The certificate in respect of both the questions may be issued and placed on the record of this Court before the adjourned date. We make it clear that these directions would apply to Government as well as to private schools and colleges”, court directed.
The court has requested Advocate G A Lone, to act as Amicus Curiae in this case to assist the Court in further proceedings.
The court has also directed that the children should be stopped from cleaning the schools.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel