HC seeks govt's reply on PIL over free books for EWS students

The Delhi High Court today sought reply from the state government on a petition alleging its "failure" to provide free books and uniforms to the students belonging to Economically Weaker Section in unaided private schools, which is in violation of right to education.
Issuing notice to the Delhi Government and its education department, a division bench of Chief Justice D Murugesan and Justice Jayant Nath sought their reply by August 7.
The petition, filed by NGO 'Justice for All', alleged that almost all unaided private schools here are "grossly" violating provisions of RTE Act and the Delhi RTE Rules which gives right to EWS students to get free books and uniforms from the school.

Schools are entitled for reimbursement at the rate at which the government is selling the books and uniforms in its own schools, the plea said.
It said schools are receiving reimbursement but do not supply free books and uniforms to students of EWS category.
"A division bench of this high court had directed the Directorate of Education (DoE) to come out with guidelines in February 2011 but the government failed to do so and schools have been violating the provisions of RTE Act," the plea said.