Shimla/Mandi: The Himachal Pradesh High Court has sought a response from the state government over the delay in operationalising the newly constructed building of Government Senior Secondary School, Deori, in Mandi district, despite the facility being reportedly complete.
Hearing a petition filed by Kunj Lal, a resident of Deori, the High Court asked the government to explain within one week why students were not being shifted to the new building and were instead continuing classes in the old premises. The next hearing has been scheduled for July 22.
According to the petitioner’s counsel, senior advocate Ankush Das Sood, along with advocates Nand Lal Thakur and Uday Anand Sharma, the new school building was ready for inauguration, and the Education Minister’s official tour programme had included the event. Invitation cards and publicity material had also reportedly been prepared by the school management.
The petitioner alleged that the inauguration was unexpectedly halted, the foundation plaque was removed before the ceremony, and the event was cancelled midway. It was further claimed that the minister and former minister Kaul Singh Thakur left the venue without inaugurating the building, while the department has not provided any explanation for the delay.
The issue has sparked controversy amid allegations that the state government intends to have the building inaugurated by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who had visited the school after it was damaged during the natural disaster and had announced the construction of a new building. However, the government has not officially commented on the claim.
The High Court has directed the state government to file its response before the next date of hearing.
