BHOPAL: A court in Betul district has ordered the government and private schools to ensure that students bag’s weight remains as per the guidelines, issued by union ministry.

Permanent Lok Adalat had issued instructions in this regard to the district collector as well as the district education officer. The move came while hearing a petition filed by Rajesh Malwi, a resident of Betul district. Permanent Lok Adalat is a body constituted to settle cases relating to Public Utility Services.

“The petition had urged that the implementation of the guidelines issued by ministry should be ensured. During the hearing on the petition, the court had ordered that it should be implemented and action taken report should be submitted before court in 15 days”, Girish Garg, counsel for petitioner told TOI.

He added, “The order was issued on February 26, however, due to some or other reasons its action taken report is still awaited. Meanwhile schools are also closed due to resurgence in Covid-19 cases. We are planning to move another application urging action on the orders of the court”.

“In our petition we had informed the court that guidelines of the union ministry are not being adhered to. Acting upon it, the court had instructed the district collector and district education officer to ensure compliance of guidelines and submit action taken report”, he added.