Rights panel seeks report on unsafe schools in district

The Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of a news report published in The Tribune on August 3 under the headline “76 schools declared unsafe in district, threat looms large over students, staff.”

Acting on a complaint filed by RTI activist Arvind Sharma, who attached the news report with his representation, the commission has directed the Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner to submit a detailed report a week before the next hearing, scheduled for September 26.

In his complaint, Sharma highlighted that around 76 government schools in the district had been declared fully or partially unsafe, posing a serious threat to the lives of hundreds of students, teachers and staff. He pointed out that the issue resurfaces every monsoon, yet the danger of collapsing structures persists year after year.

The PSHRC, after considering the matter, issued orders on August 14, stressing the need to monitor unsafe school buildings to prevent any possible tragedy.

Wants accountability over filthy conditions in mandi

The Punjab State Human Rights Commission has also taken suo motu cognisance of a report published in The Tribune on August 20 regarding the appalling conditions at the city largest vegetable market. The news report appeared under the headline “Rotting waste mounds raise a stink at city’s biggest vegetable market.”

The commission, comprising Chairperson Justice Sant Parkash and member Justice Gurbir Singh, has directed the Secretary, Punjab Mandi Board, SAS Nagar, and the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Ludhiana, to submit detailed reports on the matter by September 24, ahead of the next hearing scheduled for October 1.

The news report highlighted that the recent rains have exacerbated the situation, with stagnant water turning into breeding grounds for mosquitoes, raising fears of dengue and malaria outbreaks.