The Uttarakhand High Court yesterday berated the state government for its failure to implement the directions of the court to provide basic facilities in schools..A Bench of Justices Rajiv Sharma and Alok Singh also directed the state government not to buy luxurious cars, furniture and air conditioners till further orders from the court..This unusually strong order was passed in a Miscellaneous Application moved by one Lalit Miglani..In 2016, the High Court had passed a detailed judgment directing the state government to provide all the schools with benches, desks, blackboards (with chalk and duster), computers, well-stocked libraries and well-equipped science laboratories within three months..The Court had also directed the state government to construct separate, hygienic toilets for boys and girls and provide two sets of uniform to all the students of government schools as well as aided schools twice in a year..The Court, however, noted in its order yesterday that none of its directions were implemented..“Till date the judgment has not been implemented….It is in these circumstances the Secretary (Education), State of Uttarakhand was summoned in this Court. The only explanation offered by the Secretary to the Court is that the matter was taken up with the Finance Department of the State on 14.3.2017, but, till date, no response has been received from the Department of Finance.”.The Court observed that non-compliance with its directions reflected the sorry state of affairs..“It reflects a very sorry state of affairs. The peremptory directions were issued by the Court on 19.11.2016, to arrest the falling standards of education in the State of Uttarakhand and to provide at least bare minimum infrastructure and wherewithal in Government run schools.”.Besides, the Court also noted the “startling revelation” by the Education Secretary that no budget has been allocated..“The State must give top most priority to the education. A startling revelation has been made by the Secretary Education, during the interaction session, that no budget has been provided as per the Proposal dated 14.03.2017.”.The Court therefore, proceeded to summon the Secretary (Finance) in-person. It also restrained the state government from buying luxurious cars, furniture and air conditioners etc. till further orders..“Accordingly, the Secretary (Finance) as well the Secretary (Education), State of Uttarakhand, are directed to remain present in person before the Court tomorrow i.e. on 23.06.2017 at 3.30 p.m. 10. Since, the State Government miserably failed to provide minimum bare facilities in schools inter alia benches, desks, blackboards, hygienic separate toilets for boys and girls, Water Purifiers and ceiling fans, the 4 State Government is restrained from buying luxurious Cars, Furniture and Air Conditioners etc. till further orders of this Court.”.The case will be taken up today at 3.30 pm..Read the order and judgment of 2016 below.
The Uttarakhand High Court yesterday berated the state government for its failure to implement the directions of the court to provide basic facilities in schools..A Bench of Justices Rajiv Sharma and Alok Singh also directed the state government not to buy luxurious cars, furniture and air conditioners till further orders from the court..This unusually strong order was passed in a Miscellaneous Application moved by one Lalit Miglani..In 2016, the High Court had passed a detailed judgment directing the state government to provide all the schools with benches, desks, blackboards (with chalk and duster), computers, well-stocked libraries and well-equipped science laboratories within three months..The Court had also directed the state government to construct separate, hygienic toilets for boys and girls and provide two sets of uniform to all the students of government schools as well as aided schools twice in a year..The Court, however, noted in its order yesterday that none of its directions were implemented..“Till date the judgment has not been implemented….It is in these circumstances the Secretary (Education), State of Uttarakhand was summoned in this Court. The only explanation offered by the Secretary to the Court is that the matter was taken up with the Finance Department of the State on 14.3.2017, but, till date, no response has been received from the Department of Finance.”.The Court observed that non-compliance with its directions reflected the sorry state of affairs..“It reflects a very sorry state of affairs. The peremptory directions were issued by the Court on 19.11.2016, to arrest the falling standards of education in the State of Uttarakhand and to provide at least bare minimum infrastructure and wherewithal in Government run schools.”.Besides, the Court also noted the “startling revelation” by the Education Secretary that no budget has been allocated..“The State must give top most priority to the education. A startling revelation has been made by the Secretary Education, during the interaction session, that no budget has been provided as per the Proposal dated 14.03.2017.”.The Court therefore, proceeded to summon the Secretary (Finance) in-person. It also restrained the state government from buying luxurious cars, furniture and air conditioners etc. till further orders..“Accordingly, the Secretary (Finance) as well the Secretary (Education), State of Uttarakhand, are directed to remain present in person before the Court tomorrow i.e. on 23.06.2017 at 3.30 p.m. 10. Since, the State Government miserably failed to provide minimum bare facilities in schools inter alia benches, desks, blackboards, hygienic separate toilets for boys and girls, Water Purifiers and ceiling fans, the 4 State Government is restrained from buying luxurious Cars, Furniture and Air Conditioners etc. till further orders of this Court.”.The case will be taken up today at 3.30 pm..Read the order and judgment of 2016 below.
