Suggest names for panel on free books, uniform to EWS kids: HC

The Delhi High Court has asked the AAP government and private schools to submit names of experts for selecting the head of a panel to work out modalities of providing free study material and uniforms to poor children in private and government schools.
A bench of justices B D Ahmed and Siddharth Mridul asked both the Delhi government and private schools to suggest names of experts from the field of education also having administrative experience, who could be made part of the committee.
"Our intention is very clear. What we want is that students of EWS or of disadvantage group should be brought at par with the students of affluent class by giving them free books and uniforms," the bench said.

Delhi government counsel Rahul Mehra and counsel for private schools suggested some names of experts in compliance with the earlier order of the court but all were rejected by the bench.
"We want name of some educationist who could effectively head the panel and suggest the modalities of providing free study material and uniforms to poor children in schools," the bench said.
The bench gave one week time to both the Delhi government and private schools to come up with the panel of names and posted the matter for further hearing on February 12.

On January 29, the court had decided to set up a panel to work out modalities of providing free study material and uniforms to poor children studying in both private and government schools of the national capital.

It had said that the committee, would not only work out the modalities but also monitor whether free books and uniforms were being provided to students from economically weaker section (EWS) in private and government schools.
Delhi government has submitted in the court that it was in favour of bringing uniformity in uniforms and study material provided to EWS kids vis-a-vis other students.
The bench was hearing a PIL filed by NGO Justice for All seeking grant of free books and uniform to EWS children admitted in private unaided schools.
The schools have, however, claimed they do not provide books and uniform to any student as the same would fall under commercial activity, which they cannot carry out.