The Punjab & Haryana High Court has requested the Haryana Government to submit an affidavit detailing the working conditions and the status of basic amenities and other facilities available in the schools.

The Court had previously criticized the government's "insensitivity" towards government schools in Haryana, noting deficiencies in essential amenities such as classrooms, electricity, toilets, and drinking water.

Justice Vinod S. Bhardwaj directed that an affidavit be filed specifically addressing the working conditions of these basic amenities and other facilities provided in the schools.

The State counsel informed the Court that "the infrastructure work is at advance stage of development and that as against the requirement of 8240 additional class rooms, 751 class rooms have already been constructed and the work for construction of 1082 class rooms is also in progress while in relation to 1917 class rooms, works have been sanctioned and same are under tendering process."

The Court inquired about the status of the basic amenities and other facilities claimed to have been provided. It questioned whether the audio systems in the schools are functional and if the boys' and girls' washrooms are operational.

In response to the Court's query, Senior DAG Shruti Jain requested one week to submit a detailed reply. The matter is scheduled for further consideration on August 8.

In November, Justice Vinod Bhardwaj remarked that despite the Central government's vigorous efforts with the 'Swachh Bharat' Mission to ensure toilets in every household, Haryana's situation is dire. He highlighted the troubling reality of repeated instances of sexual harassment and assault against girls in schools, alongside the absence of toilets in 538 girls' schools.

In October 2022, the Court, observing numerous anomalies and a lack of action by officials in ensuring basic amenities for students in government schools in Haryana, requested an affidavit from the Director General of Secondary Education.

The affidavits disclosed that ₹1,176.38 crores had remained unutilized over a decade, while the State Government's budget allocation of ₹13,420.97 crores for the same period was also unspent. Expressing concern over the significant non-utilization of allocated funds, the Court requested further details.

Justice Bhardwaj criticized the affidavit submitted by the Director, describing it as mere "jugglery of statistics" that lacked any commitment to addressing the core issues.

Mr. Pardeep Kumar Rapria, Advocate, for the petitioners.

Ms. Shruti Jain, Sr. D.A.G. Haryana.

Case Title: AMARJEET AND OTHERS V. STATE OF HARYANA AND OTHERS