JOIN USHimachal Pradesh chief secretary Sudripta Roy on Saturday ordered an inquiry into denial of hostel facility to 19 physically challenged girls in Portmore government girls senior secondary school.
“I have asked education director Dinkar Burathoki to look into the matter and submit a report in 24 hours,” he said.
Nine hearing impaired and ten visually challenged girls would be given admission in the girl’s hostel, the state official said. “We will have to work out a system for their proper care so that they don’t face any inconvenience,” Roy said.
The action was taken on a letter sent by Umang Foundation which threatened to move court as denying hostel amounts to violation of Right to Education Act which provides for inclusive education to the physically challenged.
The girls were admitted in Class XI and XII few days ago, but being outsiders they needed hostel accommodation.
Ajay Srivastava, chairman of Umang Foundation, had asked the chief secretary to intervene and take prompt action.
Roy ordered an inquiry and said the matter would be raised in the next meeting of Cabinet to work out a plan to provide adequate facilities to the girls.
“We require a caretaker as they cannot be left to fend for themselves and would welcome any support from some NGO or the welfare department,” Roy said.
Ajay Srivastava, when contacted, said the foundation can make provision for the special educator for the hearing impaired girls.