Morung Express News
Kohima | February 29
The Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, on February 28, directed the Union Ministry of Education, India, to submit an affidavit showing how much additional funds have been released to the Mon district after 2021 till date.
The Nagaland State respondents were also directed to file an affidavit giving detail on how the amount received from the Central Government in terms of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan has been utilised in two schools in Mon Town.
The State respondents shall mention in the affidavit whether appointments of teaching staff are done in terms of the Schedule to the Act of 2009, as obligated under the provision of the said Act to provide in accordance with the Act of 2009, as per the order issued by Division Bench of Justice Devashis Baruah and Justice Susmita Phukan Khaund.
Both were directed to file the same by April 3.
The Bench was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) pertaining to the non-implementation of the provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, in two schools in Mon Town - GMS Mon Town A and GMS Mon Town D.
The Court made the directions after the Education Ministry submitted that the Central Government has been providing various funds from time to time under various schemes to the Mon district.
The funds issued are in respect of salaries of teachers; for repairing and maintenance of additional classrooms and for recreating dilapidated buildings, purchase of desks and benches; Library; ICT/smart classroom, etc., it submitted.
The affidavit also mentioned that for the Mon town school, the Government of India under its ALT (Appointment of Language Teacher Scheme) has given funds for the salary of Hindi teachers.
On the affidavit filed by State respondents, the Court noted that it is “completely silent” on how the funds released by the Centre have been utilized.
Accordingly, the Court fixes the matter for hearing again on April 4.
