The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Roof collapse: court directive to Pleader

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Friday, Jun 13, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Roof collapse: court directive to Pleader

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has directed the Government Pleader (GP) to inform the court within a week the action taken against the statutory authorities responsible for school administration in connection with the collapse of a roof of a nursery and primary school in Pudukottai last year. The First Bench comprising the Chief Justice A.K.Ganguly and Justice F.M.Ibrahim Kalifulla said the GP should also give details about the criminal case registered against the institution.

In his petition, filed by counsel M.Velmurugan, the petitioner T.R.K.Muthuraman of Thirugokarnam in Pudukottai, submitted that the Sri Venkateswara Nursery and Primary School on North Street, Thirugokarnam, was an unrecognised one. In January last year, the school roof collapsed causing injuries to children. The school failed to comply with all the requirements by the appropriate authority/appropriate board. Because of the dilapidated condition of the building, the roof collapsed. The institution had more students than its capacity.

The petitioner said in the wake of the Kumbakonam fire tragedy, the Tamil Nadu Government had given strict instructions regarding compliance of building construction, ventilation and proper seating requirements. Because of the lethargic attitude of the authorities, the incident occurred.

Though the incident occurred in January last year, so far the persons responsible for the incident had not been arrested. Action should be initiated against the official authorities for their failure in discharging their duties diligently.

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