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PIL seeks Rs. 10-lakh compensation for each child

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, JULY 19. An advocate has filed two public interest litigation petitions in the Madras High Court claiming Rs. 10 lakhs as compensation for each of the 90 victims of the Kumbakonam fire tragedy, besides a direction to authorities to enforce relevant rules more scrupulously.

In his petition, Veera Kathiravan of Tiruvarur district contended that Education department authorities had not taken sufficient care to implement relevant legal provisions, resulting in the deaths.

Arraying as respondents the Education Secretary, the District Collector, the Chief Education Officer, the Kumbakonam Municipal Chairman, and the school correspondent, besides the Director-General of Police and the Director of Fire and Rescue Services, the petitioner said they had abdicated their responsibilities and hence must be held liable for paying compensation to victims' kin.

He also wanted the court to order proper implementation of the mandatory 40:1 student-teacher ratio in schools, and said it was not followed in Sri Krishna Aided School.

Besides seeking a direction to pay Rs. 10 lakhs as compensation for each of victim, the petitioner demanded a significant sum as additional damages to children who suffered burns.

He sought to forbear the respondent-officials from allowing educational institutions to be run under thatched sheds or easily flammable material. He also prayed for a direction to the officials to inspect fire safety measures in educational institutions before granting permission.

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