Rajasthan HC Pulls Up Govt Over Concerning State of Dhariyabad Schools
The Rajasthan High Court has raised serious concerns over the poor infrastructure in 11 government schools in Dhariyabad, noting that basic amenities like toilets remain absent and no significant improvement has been made for over two years.
A division bench of Justices Munnuri Laxman and Ravi Chirania, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by one Gulab Chand Meena, observed that despite repeated complaints and the state government’s own data acknowledging gaps, necessary repairs and upgrades had not been carried out.
“The Court feels that immediate steps are required to be taken to rectify the deficiencies,” the bench noted in its July 25 order, adding that nearly half of the schools are functioning with less than 50% of the sanctioned teaching staff and continued infrastructure neglect.
The bench directed the Principal Secretary (Education) and the District Collector of Pratapgarh to submit detailed affidavits within two weeks, outlining the steps taken since 2023 to improve infrastructure.
Court also asked for digital photographs showing the current condition of school buildings, particularly the state of toilets.
Appearing via video conferencing, the Pratapgarh Collector informed the court that a request for funds had been sent to the Finance Department, but no action had been taken.
Court therefore directed the Finance Department to consider the request without delay, so that repair work can be undertaken.
Regarding the vacancies, court ordered the Principal Secretary to explain what steps have been taken to fill them.
The matter will now be heard again on August 12.
Recently, seven children lost their lives and 28 others were injured when a section of a government school building collapsed in Rajasthan’s Jhalawar district on Friday, July 25, 2025, according to media reports.
The incident occurred at the Piplod Government School, where the portion of the building that housed Classes 6 and 7 caved in, trapping around 35 students beneath the debris.
Concrete slabs, bricks, and rubble formed large heaps as desperate parents, teachers, and local residents scrambled to rescue the children, digging through the wreckage to pull them out.
Locals expressed outrage, claiming they had previously alerted both the tehsildar and the sub-divisional magistrate about the unsafe condition of the building but no preventive steps were taken.
Case Title: Gulab Chand Meena vs. Secretary
Order Date: July 25, 2025
Bench: Justices Munnuri Laxman and Ravi Chirania