- (1.) Writ Petition (C) No. 874/2017 Mr. Ranjit Kumar, learned Solicitor General appearing for the Union of India undertakes to file an affidavit indicating the stand of the Union of India and the guidelines that have already been framed and issued to the States for implementation in terms of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. Additionally, it is submitted that after the tragic incident has occurred, the Union of India has issued three more guidelines on 1st September, 2017, 11th September, 2017 and 9th October, 2017 and the same have been sent to the States for implementation. It is also set forth in the affidavit, as Mr. Ranjit Kumar would submit, that National Disaster Management Authority Guidelines, 2014, have been amended on 27th February, 2017, for the purpose of safety of the children in the schools.
(2.) The four States, namely, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have entered appearance in the matter. The said States may indicate additional guidelines if necessary to be added. That apart, the States shall see that the guidelines circulated by the Union of India are implemented in reality and also have an action plan so that the children feel safe in the schools and do not suffer from any phobia in schools.
(3.) We have been apprised by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners and the intervenors that the safety guidelines are to be rigourous and they have to be followed in absolute strictness. We agree with the said submission in entirety. However, we would like the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners and the intervenors to suggest any other guideline as they think fit in writing after perusing the guidelines framed by the Union of India.;