Rajasthan High Court calls the Jhalawar school collapse “heart-wrenching,” slams poor infrastructure, and demands a nationwide school safety audit to prevent future tragedies and ensure accountability.
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RAJASTHAN: The Rajasthan High Court described as “Heart-wrenching” the tragic collapse of a school building in Jhalawar that claimed the lives of seven innocent children. The incident has sent shockwaves across the country because of the revelations about the alarming state of school infrastructure in India.
Suo Motu Cognisance
In response to the tragedy, the Rajasthan High Court, led by Justice Anoop Dhand, has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter. In his statement, the bench expressed deep concern over the deteriorating state of school buildings, despite government promises and budget allocations.
The court demanded detailed reports from both central and state governments, highlighting the critical disconnect between policy announcements and on-ground realities.
A survey referenced by the court reveals a harsh truth:
- 22% of school buildings across 12 states, including Rajasthan, are dilapidated.
- 31% show visible structural cracks.
- In Rajasthan alone:
- 32% of schools lack electricity.
- 9% lack access to drinking water.
- 9% don’t have toilets for boys.
The court emphasized that, despite the allocation of 6% of the total state budget to education, the infrastructural condition of schools remains shockingly poor. The Court noted,
“Even with this investment, infrastructure development remains inadequate.”
The Rajasthan High Court laid out steps aimed at preventing such tragedies in the future. It called for a comprehensive structural survey of all school buildings, both government and private, to assess their safety and integrity.
Additionally, the court recommended the creation of a public grievance portal along with district-level websites where parents and students can upload photos or videos highlighting unsafe school infrastructure. To ensure timely action, the court proposed establishing a dedicated redressal mechanism capable of addressing complaints swiftly.
Most importantly, the court stressed the need for strict accountability; in the event of a mishap, construction costs should be recovered from the contractors, and both criminal and departmental proceedings must be initiated against those found guilty of negligence. It emphasized that responsibility must be fixed at every level, from the builder to the bureaucrat.
The issue also reached the Lok Sabha, where opposition MPs demanded urgent action, justice for the victims, and a nationwide audit of school buildings. Their protests underlined that this is not a state-specific issue; it is a national emergency.
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