Telangana HC seeks State government report on food in government hostels

The court was hearing petitions related to the condition and management of government-run hostels and educational buildings in the State

Hyderabad: The PIL bench of the Telangana High Court comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara on Wednesday directed the State government to submit a report within two weeks detailing the food menu provided to students in government hostels across the State. The court issued the orders while hearing petitions related to the condition and management of government-run hostels and educational buildings in the State.

The court also emphasized that the report should reflect the actual conditions in these hostels, and it instructed the formation of a committee of experts to compile the report. The committee will assess the current state of facilities in government hostels, gurukul schools, and other educational institutions, focusing on the adequacy of the living conditions, facilities provided to students, and the overall management of these establishments. Petitioner counsel Chikkadu Prabhakar argued that more than 9,000 hostels and schools across the State lack proper facilities for students. He stated that the government had failed to provide adequate living conditions and facilities in these institutions, which were critical for the welfare of students.

---

In response to these concerns, the High Court decided to set up an expert committee to look into the issue and submit a comprehensive report. The court has assured that necessary actions would be taken based on the findings of the report. The bench was dealing with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by K Akhil Sri Guru Teja, which raised concerns about the deficiencies in the facilities offered to students residing in these institutions.

On an earlier occasion, Prabhakar had pointed out that the State’s compliance report was inadequate, failing to address key issues such as the provision of essential items including mattresses, bed sheets, pillows, blankets, mosquito nets, and cotton towels. He further highlighted the report’s omission of details regarding toiletries, the supply of purified RO water, and the food menu for the children, in violation of the guidelines set forth in the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2018.

Further concerns were raised about the absence of psychiatric support or counsellors in the hostels and residential schools. The Additional AG, Imran Khan was directed by the court to submit a detailed compliance report ensuing all required facilities are provided to the children in these institutions. On Wednesday, at the request of Additional AG, further time of two weeks was granted.