'HMs should ensure water, toilets'

The State government on Monday told the High Court of Karnataka that school headmasters would be held responsible for failing to ensure proper toilets and drinking water for students in all government schools.

During the hearing of a public interest petition, government counsel R G Kolle submitted that following the lodging of the petition, all schools were provided with the drinking water and toilet facilities.

The petitioners said toilets were not maintained properly, but Kolle countered this by saying that the schools had failed to implement the government’s orders.

“We have provided all the schools Rs 2, 500 every quarter to maintain the toilets as well as to provide drinking water,” he said.

Kolle said a circular was issued to all schools on August 13 in this regard. He said school head masters would be held accountable for failing to execute the orders.

The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen and Justice B V Nagrathna disposed of the petition, observing its purpose was served.

The Bench also directed that the State government continue the system.