The Chhattisgarh High Court directed the Secretary, Public Works Department to file its personnel affidavit disclosing arrangements for getting the children across the river.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Rajani Dubey heard a Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation (PIL) taking cognizance on the News item, namely, “”स्कूल चले हम । कोंडागांव में बांस पर रेंगकर नदी को पार करते हैं बच्चे” (“Let’s go to school. Children cross the river by crawling on bamboos in Kondagaon”).
Satish Chandra Verma, Advocate General appearing for the respondents/State, submitted that because of the heavy rainfall, the temporary bridge which was made across the river was washed out and the villagers have made some temporary arrangement for getting the children across the said river and permanent bridge is being constructed and work order has been issued in the month of May, 2023.
“The respondent No.2, Secretary, Public Works Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Nawa Raipur, Chhattisgarh is directed to file his personal affidavit in the matter along with the latest photographs etc. disclosing the nature of temporary arrangement which is stated to have been made, has been washed out and further ensure that it should be made in such a manner which should be safe and survive for long period i.e. till the construction of the permanent bridge is over so that no untoward incident should take place”, the Court directed.
Further the Bench directed that the school administration, where the students are studying, should also see that if any such instance occurs again, the students should not be allowed to go alone unless proper safety measures are taken so that they may reach their houses safely.
The matter is listed on 4th of August, 2023 for further hearing.