Against the backdrop of the tragic incident where 14 students drowned off Murud beach, Maharashtra government today said educational institutes would be asked to take members of Parents Teachers Association (PTA) onboard for finalising annual picnic spot.
Raising the issue during the Calling Attention motion in the Legislative Council, Shiv Sena legislator Neelam Gorhe said while guidelines have been issued by the Education department to schools and colleges, there is nothing concrete regarding taking students on picnics.
"There are no guidelines on the safety measures that need to be taken by educational institutions while taking students on picnics. There is no mechanism to convey to parents if a tragedy has taken place," she said.
Responding to it, State Education Minister Vinod Tawde said education institutes have been given instructions which need to be followed while taking students on picnics, but they do not adhere to it.
"We will convey to schools and colleges that PTA should play bigger role in deciding the place of picnics. Once approved by them only then can the school take the students there," he said.
Congress MLC Sanjay Dutt said that the Murud drowning incident is not an isolated one and in the recent past, four students have drowned at Manor beach and Kashid beach each, two at Wai, two in Uran and at other beaches like those in Malad and Versova in Mumbai.
The minister in his reply said the state government under 'Visit Maharashtra' Tourism programme in 2017, would enhance security at beaches and for water sports.
As many as 14 students of Abeda Inamdar College, Pune, drowned off Murud beach in Maharashtra's Raigad district on February 1 this year while picnicking.
