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Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Haryana rights panel takes cognizance of dilapidated govt schools
Chandigarh: The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the alarming condition of government schools in Hisar district. As per a media report of August 7, though buildings or major portions of 27 government schools have been declared 'unsafe' by the Public Works Department (PWD), classes continue in them. Students are reportedly being taught in open verandahs, sealed rooms, laboratories and staff halls, often sitting on the floor. The ongoing monsoon season has increased risks, including the danger of snake bites and other hazards, said the report. According to the full Bench comprising Chairperson Justice Lalit Batra and members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia, this is not a matter of mere inconvenience but a direct endangerment to the lives and safety of school children. At Government Senior Secondary School in Mangali, for instance, 480 students are studying in an open verandah after 22 classrooms were sealed due to collapse risk. In Dobhi village, all 24 classrooms are in a bad state, forcing students into cramped libraries, laboratories and staff rooms. Likewise, in Dhansu, Siswala, Arya Nagar, Rajli and other schools, children are being taught in unsafe sections of buildings where the risk of falling walls or ceilings is constant. The Commission noted that such conditions violate Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) and Article 21-A (Right to Education) of the Constitution, as well as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantee children the right to safe and quality education. The Bench referred to recent incidents in Rajasthan, including the death of a seven-year-old boy in Jaisalmer when a school gate collapsed, and the deaths of seven students in Jhalawar due to a school building collapse. The Commission warned that immediate action is needed to prevent such tragedies in Haryana. Protocol, Information and Public Relations Officer Puneet Arora on Tuesday said the Commission has directed the Principal Secretary (School Education Department), the Director General (Secondary Education), the Deputy Commissioner of Hisar, the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Hisar and the District Education Officer of Hisar to submit a comprehensive report within eight weeks covering among other issues, the status of each condemned building, the safety measures in place and alternative arrangements. The Commission listed the matter for the next hearing on October 30.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘27 schools in Hisar operating from unsafe buildings': Haryana rights panel seeks report within 8 weeks
Taking suo motu cognisance of reportedly alarming conditions at government schools in Hisar, the Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has directed authorities in the district to submit a comprehensive report on each building within eight weeks. Taking note of media reports published last week, the HHRC found that 'buildings or major portions of 27 government schools have been declared 'unsafe' by the Public Works Department (PWD), yet classes continue to be conducted in them'. In the order which was made public on Tuesday, the full bench of the Commission, comprising Chairperson Justice Lalit Batra and members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia, observed that 'this is not a matter of mere inconvenience but a direct endangerment to the lives and safety of school children'. It has set October 30 as the next date of hearing in the case. The Commission noted that 'students are reportedly being taught in open verandahs, sealed rooms, laboratories and staff halls, often sitting on the floor. The ongoing monsoon season has increased risks, including the danger of snake bites and other hazards'. At the Government Senior Secondary School in Mangali, for instance, '480 students are studying in an open verandah after 22 classrooms were sealed due to collapse risk,' it said, adding, 'In Dobhi village, all 24 classrooms are condemned, forcing students into cramped libraries, laboratories, and staff rooms. In Dhansu, Siswala, Arya Nagar, Rajli and other schools, children are being taught in unsafe sections of buildings where the risk of falling walls or ceilings is constant'. Dr Puneet Arora, Protocol, Information and Public Relations Officer, said the Commission has directed 'the Principal Secretary, School Education Department; Director General, Secondary Education; Deputy Commissioner, Hisar; Additional Deputy Commissioner, Hisar; and District Education Officer, Hisar to submit a comprehensive report within eight weeks' on the matter. The report, he said, should cover 'the current status of each condemned building; safety measures in place; alternative arrangements made; timeline and budget for reconstruction; number of affected students and any injury/illness data; and reasons for delay in reconstruction/relocation.' Citing key examples of the damaged buildings, the HHRC bench stated that in Dhansu village, the entire school building has been condemned, while the figures for the schools in other villages were: Dobhi (24 rooms), Mangali (22), Rajli (16), Dhani Mohabatpur (12), Sisar Kharbala (11), Bass (10), Arya Nagar (10), and Siswala (8). The Commission noted that such conditions violate Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) and Article 21A (Right to Education) of the Constitution of India, as well as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantee children the right to safe and quality education. The bench referred to recent incidents in Rajasthan, including the death of a seven-year-old boy in Jaisalmer when a school gate collapsed, and the deaths of seven students in Jhalawar due to a school building collapse. It warned that immediate action is needed to prevent such tragedies in Haryana.
Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Haryana Human Rights Commission seeks reports on deaths of 4 children in Hisar brick kiln wall collapse
The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has taken serious note of a tragic incident in which four children lost their lives and three others were injured after a brick kiln wall collapsed in Budana village, Hisar, on the night of December 22 last year. Site of a tragic incident in which four children lost their lives and three others were injured after a brick kiln wall collapsed in Budana village, Hisar, on the night of December 22 last year. (File) HHRC chairperson Justice Lalit Batra said the commission received a complaint from activist KS Nagra regarding the deaths of the children, who belonged to migrant labour families from Uttar Pradesh. The commission observed that the families appeared to be living and working in conditions resembling bonded labour. 'The brick kiln owner holds both a statutory and moral duty to ensure workplace safety, especially for labourers and their families residing on or near the premises. The incident is a gross violation of human rights — particularly the right to life under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution — and breaches the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989,' the commission noted in its order. The HHRC has directed the Hisar deputy commissioner to confirm whether compensation has been provided to the affected families. If not, the DC must specify the schemes under which assistance can be granted. The commission also sought a report from the Hisar superintendent of police on whether an FIR was registered and its current status. Further, the assistant labour commissioner of Hisar has been asked to investigate possible bonded labour practices at the site and take necessary remedial measures. The district food and supplies officer has been instructed to provide the operational and inspection status of the brick kiln, while the regional officer of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board has been asked to submit a report on the site's environmental compliance. The commission has also demanded an explanation from the brick kiln owner regarding the lack of safety measures and inadequate residential arrangements for workers. All concerned officials have been directed to submit their reports within eight weeks. The next hearing is scheduled for October 14.
Indian Express
01-06-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
‘Alarming, tragic situation': Haryana human rights panel flags trauma faced by neglected elderly couple
The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has intervened in the case of a 96-year-old man and his 86-year-old wife residing at a flat at Ridgewood Estate in Gurgaon's DLF City Phase-IV, allegedly neglected by their son. The order was passed on May 29, following a complaint filed by the Ridgewood Estate Condominium Association, which stated that the couple was left with two untrained female attendants and no medical supervision. The complaint noted that the elderly man's frequent cries of pain have caused emotional distress to his wife and nearby residents, despite appeals to his son and local authorities. HHRC chairperson Justice Lalit Batra described the situation as a violation of the couple's right to live with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution. 'It is an alarming, tragic situation where vulnerable and elderly individuals have been left high and dry, without family support at a time when they mostly require love, care and medical intervention. Society and the State have a shared responsibility to intervene when the elderly are deprived of due care and dignity,' the Commission's order stated. It made it clear that the failure to ensure essential medical care, emotional support and regular supervision reflected gross negligence, which amounted 'to a breach of not only the basic human rights of the senior citizens themselves but also of the larger community that has been involuntarily subjected to such trauma.' The Commission cited the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, specifically Section 20, which mandates the state to provide healthcare services for senior citizens, including reserved hospital beds and subsidised treatment. The order added, 'While the matter of intentional abandonment, if proven, Section 24 of the Act, 2007, envisages criminal liability for the abandonment of senior citizens by those responsible for their care, provided such abandonment is duly established during the course of investigation.' The HHRC directed the deputy commissioner, Gurgaon, to form a medical and welfare committee, comprising the commissioner of police, sub-divisional magistrate, civil surgeon, and district social welfare officer. The order specified that the team should forthwith visit the premises and conduct a detailed medical, psychological and social assessment of both senior citizens. 'A status report of action taken for their medical treatment, long-term care or rehabilitation shall be submitted to this Commission before the next date of hearing,' it said. The case will be heard next on July 3. Dr Puneet Arora, HHRC's protocol, information, and public relations officer, said compliance is expected from authorities, with further action to be determined based on the report.
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Time of India
Haryana rights panel asks Gurugram district administration to check on ‘neglected' elderly couple
Chandigarh: The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has taken note of a 96-year-old man and his 86-year-old wife being allegedly abandoned and neglected by their son, Rajesh Mitra, in DLF City, Phase IV, Gurugram. Acting on a complaint submitted by residents and representatives of Ridgewood Estate Condominium Association, the commission has issued directions to the Gurugram district administration and health authorities to conduct a medical, psychological, and social assessment of the elderly couple. The complaint alleges that the senior citizens were left in a state of grave neglect, relying solely on two female attendants, without proper medical supervision. The elderly man is often heard crying out in pain, causing severe emotional trauma not just to his wife but also to other senior residents in the vicinity. Despite repeated appeals to the son and local authorities, no effective action was taken, prompting the intervention of the commission. HHRC chairperson Justice Lalit Batra (retd) expressed concern over the prolonged mental and physical suffering endured by the couple, calling it a blatant violation of Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the fundamental right to live with dignity. He emphasized that such situations are not "private family matters", but public human rights concerns, especially when society and the state fail in their shared responsibility to protect vulnerable citizens. Justice Batra highlighted provisions under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, particularly Section 20, which obligates the state to provide adequate healthcare services to senior citizens, including reserved hospital beds, separate queues, and subsidised treatment. If intentional abandonment is established, the commission noted, criminal liability under Section 24 of the 2007 law may be invoked against the responsible party. The commission also directed the deputy commissioner, Gurugram, to constitute a multi-disciplinary medical and welfare committee, comprising the commissioner of police, local sub-divisional magistrate, civil surgeon, and the district social welfare officer (also designated as maintenance officer under Section 20 of the 2007 law). This team is instructed to visit the residence and conduct a comprehensive assessment of the couple's physical, emotional, and social condition, said the commission, which has sought a status report and long-term action plan for the couple's treatment, care, and rehabilitation before the next hearing on July 3. MSID:: 121536856 413 |
