HC seeks info on homes for disabled

CHANDIGARH: Just about three weeks after deplorable state of the Cheshire Home for Disabled in Sector 21 was brought to fore in these columns, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday rapped the Administration before directing it not to snap water and power supply to all such institutions.

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 2

Just about three weeks after deplorable state of the Cheshire Home for Disabled in Sector 21 was brought to fore in these columns, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday rapped the Administration before directing it not to snap water and power supply to all such institutions.

The Division Bench of Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice BS Walia also called for details of all such homes run privately and by the Administration. Details were also sought of resource persons and youngsters pitting up in such homes.

The directions came after Assistant Solicitor-General of India Chetan Mittal placed before the Bench a copy of the news report on 15 divyangs forced to live in misery. Referring to the report, Mittal said 15 differently abled, including five Indian wheelchair cricket and rugby players, had become victims of official apathy. In the absence of basic amenities, the promising youngsters were forced to live under a deplorable condition.

Mittal also pointed out that the report also mentioned disconnection of water and power supply. He said the news report evoked sympathetic reaction among two youngsters in New Zealand with roots in Chandigarh. They made arrangements for restoration of supply.

A visibly upset Bench censured the Administration for disconnecting supply in a house run by it before issuing necessary directions. The developments took place on a petition filed against the Union of India and other respondents by Jyoti Sehgal.

For closing the chapter of outdate syllabus in schools, the National Council of Education, Research and Training (NCERT) has already undertaken to seek expert opinion in the process of publishing books.

Addressing the Bench on the issue of revision of books published by the Central Board of Secondary Education in association with the NCERT, the counsel concerned too submitted on a previous date of hearing that the exercise for publication of books has already started for session 2018-19 for Classes 1 to 12.

“The NCERT will publish updated books containing latest information. Wherever in any field, expert opinion is required that will also be sought so that children studying in different classes are not taught anything which is obsolete now,” the Bench was told.