Ensure strict implementation of safety norms for school children: HP CM

Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today directed all the concerned departments to ensure strict implementation of safety norms for school children.

Thakur said no driver with less than five years of experience be permitted to drive vehicles carrying school children and there should be no past record of any offence against the driver.

He also stressed that norms relating to safe transportation of children to school and back home should be strictly and effectively implemented.

Presiding over the meeting of senior officers of the state government regarding transportation safety issues pertaining to private schools here today, he said that the school bus accident at Nurpur on April 9 was tragic and unfortunate and effective steps should be taken immediately to ensure that there was no recurrence of such incident in future.

Thakur said that the high-level committee constituted under the chairmanship of the chief secretary to regulate traffic safety issues pertaining to private schools in the state must give its report within four days so that the recommendations could be finalised and effectively enforced for the safety of students.

He said that all the guidelines issued by the CBSE, the Supreme Court and the National Disaster Management Authority would be effectively implemented and it would be ensured that all the school buses should be first hand, in good condition and as per the specification laid down by the competent authorities.

The chief minister said that a strict action should be taken against the vehicle indulging in overloading and the buses ferrying students should have all the required equipments like first aid box, fire extinguisher, etc.

He said that the committee should also recommend steps to be taken by private schools to involve parents and local community for safe transportation of students.

Chief Secretary Shri Vineet Chawdhary who is the chairman of the committee assured the CM that the committee will submit its suggestions within the stipulated time period.