PRASANTA THATY Vs. STATE OF ORISSA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) HEARD . Petitioners are handicapped students, and are continuing their study in the Physically Handicapped School, Bargarh.

(2.) THE grievance of the petitioners in this writ petition is that though they have moved for opening Class -VIII in both the schools for the Blind and the Deaf and no steps are being taken by the authorities. On perusal of Annexure -l, it appears that the Collector, Bargarh by his letter dated 6.3.2007 requested the State Government to grant permission for opening of Class -VIII in the interest of handicapped students i.e., Blind, Deaf and other physically handicapped students. The said request was considered by the Government in Women and Child Development Department, but as the Finance Department expressed its inability to the said proposal on the ground of financial stringency the proposal was deferred for the time being.

(3.) IT is alleged that state Government in spite of the legislative mandate maintaining stony silence. This Court finds some force in the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioners. The Government as per the Act, has an obligation to take appropriate steps for complying with the aforesaid mandatory requirements stipulated in the aforesaid Act.