Ashok Agarwal, Advocate |
| Blog | Posted By: hindtodaynews on:4/13/2012 12:21:02 PM |
Delhi High Court (Acting Chief Justice A.K.Sikri
& Rajev Sahai Enlaw J) today expressed its anguish for failure on the
Government of Delhi to print and to distribute free books to over 18 lacs
students (10 lacs of MCD schools and 8 lacs of Delhi Govt schools) studying in MCD
and Delhi Govt schools even after 13 days of the commencement of the current
academic session.
“Why have you not made books available to the
students on the 1st of the current session? You are saying books
would be made available in July. How students would do their home work in the
summer vacations without the books? Why have you not started the process of
tendering and printing books well in advance?” These and several other uncomfortable
questions were asked by the Hon’ble Acting Chief Justice from Shri Amit Singla,
Director of Education, who was personally present in the Court to put forth the
reasons for non-availability of the Books meant to be distributed to the lacs
of students belonging to the weaker sections. Not satisfied with the answers
given on behalf of the Government, the Hon’ble Judges directed the Director of
Education to explain on affidavit by 25 April 2012 as to why the books were not
made available to the students in time.
On the last date of hearing, when Advocate Ashok
Agarwal brought to the notice of the Hon'ble Judges that students studying in
MCD schools are without books as the books are yet to be printed, the Hon'ble
Judges said, "what a shocking state of affairs". The Court had directed
the Government of Delhi to inform the Court by today as to by what date the
books would be made available to the students.
High Court today also pulled up MCD when Advocate
Ashok Agarwal informed the Court that 10 lakhs students of the MCD primary
schools have also not been given full set of copies which fact was confirmed by
the counsel appearing for the MCD. MCD counsel assured the Court that copies
would be given to the students at the earliest.
“All study material including bag, books, copies
and pencils etc. must have been given to the students on the day their annual
results are declared in the month of March and promoted to the next classes so
that they should have all study material with them on the commencement of the session
itself. Failing to do so, is no less a criminal negligence on the part of the
authorities and it also makes a mockery of the right to education. Study
material is very valuable for the students”, submitted Advocate Ashok Agarwal.
Next date of hearing is 25.04.2012.
Ashok
Agarwal, Advocate
M-09811101923
13.04.2012