Karnataka High Court Asks State To File Comprehensive Reply On Steps Taken To Fill Up Vacant Posts In Govt Hostels For SC/ST Students

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday directed the State government to file a comprehensive reply giving details of the action taken to fill up vacant posts of wardens and superintendents in government hostels run in the state for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students.

A division bench of Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice Krishna S Dixit while hearing a suo-motu petition granted two weeks time to the government to file its affidavit/statement of objection.

It also recorded the submission of amicus curiae Advocate Nitin Ramesh that the issue raised in the petition of inadequate staff members particularly, warden or superintendents in the hostels being run by state government for SC/ST students also needs to be looked at from another angle. The inadequacy of staff as observed by this court, he said, would result in hampering the academic career of students and this would also be a cause of concern considering protection of children's rights.

Further he submitted that the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has released a report containing regulatory guidelines on State's duties in respect of management of the hostels.

“A valid point is raised by amicus, we expect a response of the state government on this aspect/issue also. As such we grant two weeks time to the state government advocate to file a detailed and comprehensive statement of objection. Needless to state that copy be supplied to amicus in advance,” the Court ordered.

The bench reminded the State of an order issued last year, directing it to undertake backlog recruitment drive in all government departments and institutions and to accomplish the task on a war footing within outer limit of 6 months.

“As this order was made on 21-09-2023, it will not be an exaggerated expectation of this court seeking response from the government as to whether certain steps are initiated vide our order, and in case such steps are initiated latest report be submitted to this court,” it said.

The court had taken suo-motu 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 shortage of necessary human resources, resulting in serious damages to the academic career of the students.

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

Case No: WP 27797/2023