Replace military trucks with proper school buses: Punjab and Haryana HC directs Centre
This change is to be implemented in a phased manner to ensure the safety of school-going children from military families.
In its detailed order released on Monday, the high court directed adherence to the "Automotive Industry Standard" for School Buses (AIS 063:2005) and guidelines issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The division bench, headed by chief justice Sheel Nagu, passed these orders while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Mohali resident Pradeep Sharma.
The petitioner sought directions for the central govt and military authorities to coordinate and replace the military trucks, which were illegally converted into school buses, with proper school buses adhering to govt norms in a time-bound manner.
The petitioner stated that the PIL was not adversarial and was for the benefit of defence personnel and their families. He prayed that, if required, funds should also be released by the govt to the military authorities for introducing proper transport to ensure the safety of school-going children who were being forced to travel in unsafe trucks converted into school buses by adding grills and ladders.
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The petition pointed out that the govt had issued norms for school buses to have hard bodies with proper emergency exits, spaces below seats, front-facing seats, large windows with visibility and without curtains, CCTVs, speed governors, and many other features.
These were totally lacking in the military trucks temporarily converted into buses to carry school children. It was also noted that while such a practice might have been accepted some decades ago, it has no place in modern India, where strict norms are now in place, with even the Supreme Court and high courts passing directions on the safety of school buses.
Indemnity Bonds from families
The order has come as a major relief and is welcomed by defence personnel, many of whom are posted in remote areas, as it eases concerns about the safety of their children. An officer, who did not want to be named, welcomed the development and mentioned that 'indemnity bonds' were being taken by military authorities from parents, relinquishing any claim against the govt in case of accidents leading to injury or death in such military trucks.
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