Ensure power supply at exam centres, HC tells Maha govt

The Bombay High Court today directed the Maharashtra government to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply in schools during SSC and HSC examinations in October and asked it to depute officers in all examination centres to assess the power situation and suggest measures.
A bench of Justice Abhay Oka was hearing a contempt petition filed by activist Vishnu Gawli alleging that there was load shedding during examinations in areas where the centres were located.
The court asked the Education Secretary, who was present during the proceedings, to send officers to all the examination centres and find out whether more generators were required.

The judges directed the government to make an assessment and file a report by September 23 on the power situation in the state during examinations.
The bench was of the opinion that besides providing generators, the state would have to ensure that there was no load shedding during the examinations.
Government counsel V P Malvankar informed the court that the state was doing its best to ensure that there was no load shedding during examinations. He submitted a written note by the Education department which said that there has been a lot of improvement in power situation in the recent times.

However, the bench was not satisfied with the stand taken by the government and asked Advocate General Darius Khambata to appear in this matter on behalf of the state as this petition raised a serious issue concerning students.
Last week, the court had pulled up the state for its apathy towards students due to load shedding in schools during examinations.
"Why was there no load shedding during festivals? Why only load shedding at examination centres?" the judges had questioned the state.