"Toilets Unfit To Be Used Even By Animals": Patna High Court Asks Govt. To Provide Funds For Educational Institutions' Infrastructure-

The High Court had, on 09^th March, constitutes a Committee of three Lady Advocates to visit a list of Educational Institutions to ascertain the exact status of the existence and functionality of infrastructure to cater to the needs of the girl students in such institutions.

On 24^th March, the Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice S. Kumar perused the photographs of the condition of toilets with respect to some of the educational institutions, particularly Government schools and observed,

"The condition only depicted the place unfit to be used even by Animals. From the report, it is apparent that there is a lack of infrastructure, toilets, etc. Also, they are ill-maintained."

"In most of the educational institutions, sanitary vending and disposal machines have yet not been installed. Also, as is evident from the record and the discussion across the Bar, there is lack of funds for maintenance of toilets", the Court further added.

Having interacted with the Principals, the Court found that through several schemes' funds are provided, but they are meager and are highly inadequate.

To this, the Court remarked that the Government must attempt to and provide funds for maintenance of the toilets.

Further, the Court said,

"Let the Principal Secretary, Education Department, file his personal affidavit indicating as to how best the finance can be augmented."

Further, the Court also noted that the report further revealed that the number of toilets is highly inadequate and there is need for upgrading the infrastructure.

The Court directed the Principal Secretary, Education Department to deal with the issue and other deficiencies pointed out in the report submitted by the Committee.

The Court was also informed that there are certain institutions where there are no toilets within the campus and the girl students have to step out to use the facility of common public conveniences adjoining to the campus.

To this, the Court said,

"We are not aware of the reason thereof, but let the authorities, including the Commissioner, Patna Municipal Corporation, examine the issue and find a solution so as to ensure that the students have direct and exclusive access to the toilets within the campus."

With this, the matter was listed for further hearing on 15^th April 2021.

Case title - In The Matter of News Report Dated 10.04.2018 Published in Hindi News Daily Hindustan Patna Live v. The State of Bihar and Ors [Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.6941 of 2018]

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