Land caught in dispute, Payal school students feel cornered

The authorities of Government Primary School, Payal, about 40 km from Ludhiana, are struggling to get hold of a chunk of land, on which some private individuals have staked claim.

The school authorities claim that the vacant land, opposite the school in the congested streets of Payal, belongs to the school. It was registered under the school’s name, but some private persons who reside in the neighbourhood have put their claim on the land, saying it belongs to them and the school cannot use it for any purpose. They also claim that they have the stay orders from the court.

A visit to this school today revealed that 206 students of primary classes were forced to study in congested surroundings, without any space for moving around or playing.

The school in-charge, Satwinder Kaur said, “There is no space for the students to move freely and no playground either. The location and approach to the school was also through congested streets. These students come from several miles away. It would be good if the land is used for a playground.”

She said she had submitted all the documents related to the land and the school to DEO (primary) during the latter’s recent visit to the school. She said these private persons never show the stay orders from the court. She added that the school was not in a position to fight with these private players in any manner because of paucity of funds and resources.

DEO (Primary) Ravinder Kaur said she was not sure about the actual state of the school and the vacant land. But she had been told that the private players were claiming to have obtained the stay orders on the land from the court. “If they have any such orders, they should show it to the school authorities so that the school does not stake its claim. If it is the land of the school, then it should be given back,” said the DEO.

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