Patna DM Dr. Chandrashekhar Singh ordered to keep the school closed.
– Photo: Amar Ujala
Expansion
School children up to class eight will be restricted from coming to school in Patna for two more days. Patna District Magistrate has issued an order to stop them from calling them to school under Section 144. Calling children to school would be a violation of Section 144 and there is a provision for punishment for it. Earlier, leave was given from 16 to 20 January due to cold. During this time, Additional Chief Secretary of Education Department KK Pathak was on leave. Then, considering the cold conditions and forecast, the holiday was extended. When Pathak returned, the leave given for 22-23 January was declared illegal. DM of Patna was instructed to take his permission before implementing Section 144. But, explaining his authority, DM Chandrashekhar decided to keep the holiday in force. Issued a strict decision. On Tuesday, after discussion, in view of the latest weather condition and forecast, they again decided to extend the leave till January 25. After this is 26th January, i.e. Republic Day. Then Saturday-Sunday. Meaning, the children got relief this week.
The District Magistrate is fully competent to take the decision to close the school.
While talking to Amar Ujala on Tuesday, Patna DM Chandrashekhar said that in view of the emergency, schools (VIII) in Patna were closed. The District Magistrate has been given powers to deal with emergency situations. This is how decisions have been taken. In the last 24 hours, the minimum temperature of Patna was five and a half degrees Celsius. Even good people found it difficult to get out. In view of this, classes up to eighth class were banned. This decision has been taken in view of the situation. The District Magistrate is fully capable for this. No permission is required from anyone to do this. No one has the right to review it. Only the Higher Court can review it. In full exercise of the powers conferred, it was decided to close the school up to class VIII. On the question of conflict with the education department, he said that there is no conflict anywhere.
The education department had given orders to open primary and middle schools also.
In fact, citing the order of the Additional Chief Secretary of the Education Department, the Director of Secondary Education has informed the District Education Officer of Patna. Order was given to open primary and middle schools also. On the other hand, the District Magistrate of Patna had termed this as a violation of Section 144 issued by his order. Meaning, according to the Education Department, schools were opened, whereas in view of the threat to life in winter, the DM’s order was to close the schools. According to this order, orders were given to close the schools till January 23.