By : Mohan Verma
The High Court of Himachal Pradesh has issued notice to the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Education), Principal Secretary (Home), Secretary (Health), Secretary (Revenue), Director General of Police, Director of Education H.P., Deputy Director of Education Kullu and the D.C., Kullu on the issue of safety and security of government properties and directed them to file their replies before June 30.
A Division Bench comprising of Acting Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan passed these orders on a petition taken up suo moto by the court as Public Interest Litigation on a news item published in ‘The Times of India’ regarding poor upkeep and safety of government properties.
It was reported in the newspaper that over 10,000 primary and middle schools in the state are without watchmen as the government has no provision for this post, leaving the schools at the mercy of petty thieves.
As a result of this, hundreds of thefts have been reported in government primary schools in recent years, which mostly comprise of LPG cylinders, utensils and ration stored in schools for mid day meals. Similar is the condition of hundreds of primary health centers, patwar bhawans, veterinary hospitals and temples. Old temples and monasteries in the state are being robbed easily and frequently. Idols and ornaments worth millions of rupees have been lost/stolen.
The Court posted the matter for June 30.
