Delhi High Court Directs Release of Funds for Non-functional Government School Buildings

The Delhi High Court has issued a directive to the Finance Department of the Delhi Government, instructing the release of funds to the Public Works Department (PWD) for six newly constructed government school buildings that have yet to become operational due to pending payments. The court order, dated January 4, 2024, emphasizes that the Finance Department should facilitate the necessary amount to the PWD within two weeks, considering the previous orders and the urgency of the matter.

This legal action follows a petition from the NGO Social Jurist, which brought attention to the non-utilization of the buildings due to outstanding dues. The government owes the PWD a total of Rs 625.21 crore for these schools, affecting thousands of students who have been deprived of these facilities for over two years.

Earlier, the court expressed dissatisfaction with the Delhi Government, emphasizing the importance of providing adequate school buildings to students. The bench warned of potential harsh actions, highlighting the failure to fulfill constitutional and legal obligations in providing education. The court also expressed concerns about violating the Right to Education Act of 2009.

The petition underscores the significance of resolving the matter for the benefit of students residing in areas such as Mukundpur, Bakhtawarpur, Lancer Road, Rani Bagh, Rohini, and MS Punjab Khore. The shortage of classrooms in these government schools is affecting the student-teacher ratio, thereby compromising the right to education for thousands of students.