Needs Immediate Remedial Action: Karnataka High Court Directs State To Address Issue Of Overcrowding In Govt Hostels For SC/ST Students

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday directed the State Government to take remedial steps in regard to overcrowding of students in government hostels run in the state for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students.

A division bench of Chief Justice N V Anjaria and Justice K V Aravind on going through the report submitted by the state government noted that from the figures of the students admitted in various hostels across the state, it is evident from the details that far greater number of students are admitted in hostels at majority of places than the capacity of the hostel.

It said, “Treating students of scheduled caste in the hostels in such a fashion by overcrowding them needs immediate remedial action.”

Referring to the report, the court cited instances of hostels as mentioned in the report where the students admitted were higher than the capacity of the hostels. Further, it noted that as far as the post of senior wardens is concerned out of 1890 posts in different divisions 1342 posts have been filled up. While that of junior warden 53 posts are vacant.

Then it directed respondents to furnish details and make clear their stand with regard to the following:

1: Steps which may be proposed to fill up vacant posts of senior and junior wardens.

2: Measures which are taken to ensure there is no overcrowding in hostels.

3; Authorities are required to give details as to how they are managing the overcrowding of students in such hostels and whether students are treated for their stay in the hostel in a dignified manner or not.

The court had directed the authorities to furnish the details by the next date of hearing and posted the matter for further hearing on September 30.

Directions were given while hearing a suo-motu petition initiated taking cognizance of the news report dated December 7, 2023, wherein it was stated that social welfare departments are not appointing staff in spite of specific guidelines for appointment qua the strength of the students in these hostels.

Further, it was said there are 1296 pre-metric hostels and 1165 post-metric hostels but the number of superintendents and wardens is less than 1200 causing a shortage of necessary human resources, resulting in serious damage to the academic career of the students.

Case Title: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AND State of Karnataka & ANR

Case No: WP 27797/2023