FEE HIKE `UNJUST', PANEL WANTS SCHOOLS TO REFUND

The order came on a petition filed by an NGO, Social Jurists, through advocate Ashok Agarwal alleging that schools in the capital had hiked the fees “unreasonably” but they failed to pay the salaries of the teaching and non-teaching staff as per the guidelines of the Sixth Pay Commission.

न्यायिक कमेटी ने हाईकोर्ट को सौंपी रिपोर्ट

जानकारी हो कि इस मामले में सोशल ज्यूरिस्ट संस्था के सलाहकार व एडवोकेट अशोक अग्रवाल ने याचिका दायर की थी जिसके बाद हाईकोर्ट ने वर्ष 2011 में रिटार्यड चीफ जस्टिस अनिल देव सिंह की अध्यक्षता में कमेटी बना कर स्कूलों की जांच कर रिपोर्ट पेश करने का निर्देश दिया था।

Mail Today, 27.09.2014, -page-14-15

Ashok Agarwal, a lawyer who has ardently spoken for safety of children in schools. said the principal should be approached so that students who have any issue can talk to them directly. 

41 स्कूलों को लौटानी होगी अतिरिक्त फीस

उल्लेखनीय है कि स्कूलों द्वारा मनमाने ढंग से फीस में वृद्धि करने पर कुछ अभिभावकों ने अधिवक्ता अशोक अग्रवाल के माध्यम से हाई कोर्ट में जनहित याचिका दायर की थी। अदालत ने इस पर सुनवाई करते हुए दिल्ली के सभी स्कूलों के खातों की जांच कर मामले की तह तक जाने के लिए जस्टिस अनिल देव कमेटी का गठन किया था।

प्ले स्कूलों में हों सिर्फ महिलाकर्मी

प्ले स्कूल में हो रही इस तरह की घटनाओं की जितनी निंदा की जाए कम है। राजधानी में कई सारे प्ले स्कूल खुल गए हैं। सरकार को चाहिए कि इन स्कूलों के लिए गाइडलाइन बनाए। - अशोक अग्रवाल, सोशल ज्यूरिस्ट के संस्थापक अध्यक्ष।प्ले स्कूल में हो रही इस तरह की घटनाओं की जितनी निंदा की जाए कम है। राजधानी में कई सारे प्ले स्कूल खुल गए हैं। सरकार को चाहिए कि इन स्कूलों के लिए गाइडलाइन बनाए। - अशोक अग्रवाल, सोशल ज्यूरिस्ट के संस्थापक अध्यक्ष।

INITIATE HIP & KNEE REPLACEMENT PROCESS FOR POOR PATIENT - DELHI HIGH COURT DIRECTS AIIMS

In a significant order, Delhi High Court (Justice Vibhu Bakhru) today directed AIIMS to initiate the process of hip and knee replacement of 38 year-old poor crippled patient Sarvesh, who has been suffering from Reiter’s disease.

The High Court has directed the patient to report at AIIMS at 10 a.m. on Monday morning, whence the Hospital shall start the process. Meanwhile, a representative of the patient has been directed to approach Dr. R.N. Das, Medical Superintendent (Nursing Homes) at the Directorate of Health Services, GNCTD for getting the requisite amount sanctioned for the treatment of the patient.

Sarvesh has been left crippled and immobile because of the disease and urgently needs a hip and knee replacement surgery. He was admitted to AIIMS for the surgery, but the surgery could not be performed as he was unable to pay the amount of expenses of the surgery worth Rs. 8 lacs. The patient had thus filed a Writ Petition in Delhi High Court pleading that his condition would deteriorate if he is not provided free of cost treatment at AIIMS. On the last date of hearing i.e. 19.08.2014, the Court had issued notices to AIIMS, GNCTD and Central Government seeking their responses.        

Advocate Ashok Agarwal relying upon Supreme Court Judgment in Aarushi Dhasmana case submitted that "Every life has an equal inherent value which is recognised by Article 21 of the Constitution and the Court is duty-bound to save that Life" 

The next date of hearing in the matter has been fixed for 29.10.2014.      

Ashok Agarwal, Advocate     
M: 9811101923  
26.09.2014

CRUEL CASE OF EXPLOITATION--DILSHAD PUBLIC SCHOOL DEMANDS BLANK SIGNED CHEQUES & PASS-BOOKS FROM EMPLOYEES-- HIGH COURT ISSUES NOTICES

The Delhi High Court, through Justice Hima Kohli on Monday, September 22, issued notices to Dilshad Public School and GNCTD on a petition filed by 13 employees of the school, through Advocate Ashok Agarwal, against illegal insistence upon them to deposit signed blank cheque-books and pass-books of their salary-accounts with the school, thereby enabling the school to illegally withdraw sums of money from the salaries to be credited into their accounts         

Some of the employees had earlier approached the High Court in 2004 against payment of extremely low salaries to them and harassment at the hands of the school and a compromise was reached at in 2005 that the school shall pay full salaries to the employees through cheques in terms of Delhi School Education Act, 1973. However, the school continued to pay to them the same low salaries in contravention of the Delhi School Education Act and the terms of the said compromise, while they were made to sign upon false entries in the pay-registers showing full salaries. Interestingly, the school is also filing income-tax returns on behalf of the employees showing full salaries as income. The salaries last paid to the employees are as low as Rs.2300 to the water-woman who has been employed there for more than 20 years in the school, Rs.2800 to the watch-man, Rs.4700 to one of the Primary Teachers and Rs.7000 to one of the TGTs. 

In August 2014, the school informed the employees that it shall forthwith credit full salaries to the bank-accounts of the employees in terms of the Delhi School Education Act, 1973. It accordingly asked the employees to open their accounts. At the same time, however, they were asked to deposit their blank signed cheque-books and pass-books with the school in order to enable the school to withdraw money from their bank-accounts. The employees opened their accounts in Canara Bank but did not deposit their signed cheque-books and pass-books with the school. The school has therefore not credited any salary to their accounts. At the same time, the school is threatening the employees that not only their salaries shall not be credited to their accounts but they shall also be removed from service without any notice if they do not deposit their signed cheque-books and pass-books as asked to by the school.   

“It is an extreme case of exploitation of the petitioners at the hands of the respondent-school which is continuing for the past several years. The school is bound in law to pay to the petitioners full salaries and emoluments in terms of Section 10 of the Delhi School Education Act, 1973 and the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission and cannot ask for signed blank cheques and pass-books from the petitioners”, Advocate Ashok Agarwal, appearing for the petitioner-employees, argued.    

The next date of hearing in the matter is 24.11.2014.   


ASHOK AGARWAL, ADVOCATE         
M: 9811101923  
26.09.2014

शौचालयों की दुर्दशा पर जवाब तलब

पीठ ने कहा है कि इससे भी बड़ी चिंता की बात है कि संबंधित अधिकारी गरीबों के बारे में नहीं सोचते हैं। हाईकोर्ट ने यह आदेश अधिवक्ता अशोक अग्रवाल द्वारा दाखिल याचिका पर दिया है। याचिका में सार्वजनिक शौचालय की कमी दूर करने एवं सही से इसका रखरखाव करने की मांग की है। 

शौचालयों की दुर्दशा पर जवाब तलब

Plan better toilet facilities in capital: Court to civic bodies

http://epaper.indianexpress.com/c/3552886



The court's direction came on a PIL filed by Advocate Ashok Aggarwal on the failure of civic agencies to construct more toilets women. 
The Court also directed Aggarwal to give his suggestions regarding requirement of toilets by November 10.
"He (Aggarwal) will also inform us where the work has been done and where it had not been done," the court said

HC ASKS CIVIC BODIES FOR PLAN ON PUBLIC TOILETS - THE TIMES OF INDIA

HC ASKS CIVIC BODIES FOR PLAN ON PUBLIC TOILETS

The high court is hearing a PIL filed by advocate Ashok Aggarwal alleging failure on the part of civic agencies to construct more number of toilets for women in the city . It also asked Aggarwal to inspect areas that require court's attention and inform it by November 10. 

HC asks civic bodies for plan on public toilets

लोग मजबूरी में दीवार पर करते हैं पेशाब - दैनिक जागरण

लोग मजबूरी में दीवार पर करते हैं पेशाब

इस मामले में हाई कोर्ट अधिवक्ता अशोक अग्रवाल की तरफ से दायर जनहित याचिका पर सुनवाई कर रहा है। याचिका में आरोप लगाया गया है कि शहर में महिलाओं के लिए पर्याप्त मात्र में शौचालय नहीं हैं। इसलिए उनके लिए ज्यादा शौचालय बनाए जाने चाहिए। वहीं अदालत ने अग्रवाल को निर्देश दिया है कि वह भी दस नवंबर तक अपने सुझाव अदालत के समक्ष पेश करें।

Minority schools in city don’t really represent minorities - Mumbai Mirror | Sep 24, 2014

Minority schools in city don’t really represent minorities Mumbai Mirror | Sep 24, 2014,
Similarly, Jurist Agarwal, a lawyer and president of the All India Parent Association, stated that a minor amendment to the constitution can include all the minority institutions and greatly benefit the students. "Totally excluding them from RTE is wrong and unfair. If only an inclusion of minority institutions could be made to Article 21 (of the constitution) which states free education to children between 6-14 years or Article 30 which states that minority communities have a right to establish educational institutions will solve the problem," said Agarwal.

SANITATION FOR ALL - The Tribune

SANITATION FOR ALL - The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Prime Concern www.tribuneindia.com

Ashok Agarwal, Founder of the NGO, says, “The government’s surveys are nothing but lies. Across Delhi, there are several municipal and government schools with dysfunctional lavatories. There are also schools where classes are held a few feet from garbage bins and toilet blocks. There are schools without water supply for lavatories. After the PM’s stress on keeping toilets clean, we hear of teachers making children clean corridors and even toilets in some cases.”

“RIGHT TO EDUCATION – A CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE”

 

MR. Ram Jethamalani, Senior Advocate & Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) has very kindly consented to be the key Note Speaker at the session, and Dr. Ashok Agarwal, Advocate, Delhi High Court, shall be Guest Speaker

Unable to clear Class IX entrance test, 4,000 students stare at dropping out -

http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/unable-to-clear-class-ix-entrance-test-4000-students-stare-at-dropping-out/

 Indian Express

Nursery admission guidelines likely to be announced early this year

But, the fate of the guidelines this year could also depend on a Supreme Court case slated to be heard on October 10. “The Supreme Court decision on applicability of RTE in nursery admissions is coming up on October 10. If the court says RTE is applicable for nursery admissions, everything will have to be done in accordance with RTE, which would mean that admissions would be done based on draw of lots and neighbourhood criteria,” Ashok Agarwal, lawyer, Social Jurist, said. 

http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/nursery-admission-guidelines-likely-to-be-announced-early-this-year/

Indian Express

विवाहित होने पर काट दिया था छात्र का स्कूल से नाम

दैनिक जागरण दिल्ली, 21 सितम्बर 2014, पेज-6

Class XII girl marries, expelled from school

According to advocate Ashok Agarwal, president of the Association, the girl is a student of Class XII and is in the current academic year 2014-15. She attended classes for 15 days in April and then proceeded on leave from April 16 as her marriage was fixed for May 17.

नर्सरी दाखिला : क्राइटेरिया में मिल सकती है छूट

सोशल जूरिस्ट एसोसिशन के संयोजक अशोक अग्रवाल ने कहा कि दरअसल राइट टू एजुकेशन के तहत मैनेजमेंट कोटे का प्रावधान हीं नहीं है। इसको लेकर स्कूल कई बार कोर्ट में गये लेकिन राहत नहीं मिली। लिहाजा स्कूलों को तय प्वाइंट्स सिस्टम के तहत ही दाखिले करने पड़े, जिसमें सबसे आसानी से दाखिले सिबलिंग वालों के हुए। जबकि बाकी को ड्रॉ में आना पड़ा और ड्रॉ में कई बच्चों को दाखिला नहीं मिल पाया।

राष्ट्रीय सहारा दिल्ली, 19 सितम्बर 2014, पेज - 7

HIGH COURT ORDER ON PIL FOR ADMISSION OF CHILDREN IN NEIGHBOURHOOD SCHOOL

CLASS XII GIRL-STUDENT EXPELLED BY SKV, BADLI FOR HAVING MARRIED - AIPA WRITES TO DELHI LT. GOVERNOR NAJEEB JUNG

To

Sh. Najeeb Jung

Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor

Government of NCT of Delhi

Rajniwas, Rajniwas Marg

Civil Lines, Delhi-54

19.09.2014

Subject: Class XII girl-student expelled by SKV, Badli for having married

Sir

19 years old Ms. Mehjabeen (M:9873382360), R/o C-232, J.J. Camp, Suraj Park, Badli, Delhi-42, along with her mother Ms. Sakeena Khatoon has personally approached me today with a grievance against Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, Badli that the school has expelled her as she had got married in between the academic year.  (Copy of letter from the student attached)

The girl was a student of Class XII in the current academic year 2014-15. She attended classes from 01.04.2014 to 15.04.2014 in Class XII in the school. As her marriage was scheduled for 17.05.2014, she went on leave w.e.f. 16.04.2014.

The school closed for summer-vacations w.e.f. 01.05.2014 and re-opened on 01.07.2014. However, having contracted Dengue towards the end of June, 2014, she could not resume schooling on reopening of school. Her mother informed the school about her illness and inability to attend the school and also proposed to submit a written application for medical leave. However the school authorities refused to accept the same. The mother also submitted her school-fee during her absence from the school.

On recovering from her illness, Ms. Mehjabeen went to the school on 02.09.2014 accompanied by her mother. But the school-Principal, in unequivocal terms, refused to allow the girl to attend the school, citing as reason that the company of a married student shall cast immoral influence upon other school-children.

The baselessness of the action on the part of the school Principal and the reasons given in its support is self-evident. It is extremely unfortunate that while a girl belonging to a minority community and hailing from a poor economic back-ground has been attempting to defy social taboos by choosing to continue her studies even after marriage, the Delhi Government school is hell bent upon thwarting her initiatives.

It is humbly submitted that in cases such as the present one, all possible help and support must be extended to the student to pursue her studies further, rather than demoralising and punishing her for a decision which is entirely personal and for which she is not even fully responsible as the same is largely of her parents.

You are therefore earnestly requested to direct the school-authorities to forth-with re-admit the student, extend all necessary co-operation to her to make up for the academic loss already incurred on account of her absence from school and not to victimise her in future on account of her marital status.

With regards

Ashok Agarwal, Advocate

National President, AIPA

M: 9811101923

दाखिले से मना करने पर होगी कार्रवाई

अमर उजाला दिल्ली, 08 सितम्बर 2014, पेज - 8

अदालत ने यह निर्देश सोशल ज्यूरिस्ट एनजीओ द्वारा दायर जनहित याचिका पर सुनवाई के दौरान दिया। याची के अधिवक्ता अशोक अग्रवाल ने खंडपीठ को बताया कि 8 सितंबर को उनके पास मयूर विहार के पास यमुना खादर में रहने वाले 6 से 14 साल के 13 बच्चे आए व उन्होंने बताया कि उनके पास रिहायशी प्रमाणपत्र नहीं है। सरकारी स्कूल में इसी आधार पर उन्हें दाखिला देने से मना कर दिया है। अधिवक्ता ने कहा कि इसके बाद उन्होंने क्षेत्र में जाकर पता किया तो जानकारी मिली कि ऐसे 81 बच्चे हैं जो पढ़ना चाहते हैं, लेकिन उन्हें दाखिला नहीं दिया जा रहा।
उन्होंने कहा कि इस संबंध में उन्होंने दिल्ली सरकार, एमसीडी व अन्य को ज्ञापन देकर जानकारी दी और बच्चों को दाखिला देने का आग्रह किया, लेकिन किसी ने भी जवाब तक नहीं दिया। शिक्षा के अधिकार कानून के तहत 6 से 14 वर्ष के बच्चों को निशुल्क व जरूरी शिक्षा पाने के हकदार हैं और उनको दाखिला न देकर कानून का खुला उल्लंघन किया जा रहा है।

दो दिन में 81 बच्चों को दाखिला दे सरकार

Taking Cognizance of the vital need of child’s education, health and nutrition, this Court appointed and Ad-hoc Committee comprising Mr. Ashok Aggarwal, Ms. Ruchi Sindhwani and Mr. Rajshekhar Rao, Advocates to counsel the mother, examine the welfare of the child and assist this Court.

SOCIAL JURIST WRITES TO NHRC FOR DISPLAY OF INFORMATION REGARDING SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT WORKPLACE ACT, 2013 IN THE WORK-PLACES COUNTRY-WIDE

To

The Chairman

The National Human Rights Commission

Manav Adhikaar Bhavan

C-Block, GPO Complex

INA, Delhi-23

September 18, 2014

Subject: Request for display of relevant information regarding the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 in the work-places

Sir

Although nearly 17 years have passed since the celebrated Vishaka guidelines were issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court on sexual harassment at work-place and nearly 9 months since the enforcement of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, it has been observed that there is very little awareness across the country on the women’s right to protection against sexual harassment at work-place and accordingly, little has so far been achieved in the direction of elimination of this evil. It would not be an exaggeration to say that even the legal fraternity in general is more or less equally uninformed about the provisions of this Act. It cannot be disputed that the right to protection against sexual harassment at work-place flows from the basic human rights to life and liberty, gender equality and freedom to practice one’s occupation.

Section 19 (b) of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 provides that every employer shall display at any conspicuous place in the workplace, the penal consequences of sexual harassment and the order constituting the internal complaints committee. However, the compliance of this mandate so far is extremely rare.

In order to afford better protection to women from sexual harassment at workplace and more effectively implement the Act, it is desirable that the relevant information regarding the provisions of the Act, is prominently displayed at all the work-places covered under this Act across the country. This should include a compliance of the mandate of Section 19 (b) and other relevant information which may be necessary and useful for exercising the right to protection guaranteed under this Act.

It is suggested that the information should address at least the following basic queries:

·        What amounts to sexual harassment under the Act?

·        Who can complain under the Act?

·        Against whom can the complaint be made?

·        To whom is the complaint to be made?

·        What are the rights of the woman who makes such a complaint?

You are humbly requested to consider the issue and direct all the States/UTs to ensure that the relevant information regarding the provisions of the Act is prominently displayed at all the work-places falling under the ambit of this Act.

With regards

Ashok Agarwal, Advocate

Advisor, Social Jurist

M: 9811101923

HC APPOINTS LAWYERS TO MONITOR 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL’S EDUCATION

It also appointed government Counsel Ruchi Sindhwani, advocate Raj Shekhar Rao and advocate Ashok Aggarwal as amicus curiae, and asked them to monitor the child and ensure that she continues her education.

जज अंकल, हम पढ़ना चाहते हैं

बच्चों की मांग को सोशल जूरिस्ट संस्था ने अपने अधिवक्ता अशोक अग्रवाल के माध्यम से हाईकोर्ट के समक्ष रखा है। याचिका में बताया गया है कि मयूर विहार के पास यमुना खादर क्षेत्र में झुग्गी बस्ती के 81 बच्चे, जिनकी उम्र छह से चौदह साल है, स्कूल जाना चाहते हैं। उन्हें न तो पूर्वी नगर निगम के स्कूलों में दाखिला दिया जा रहा है और न ही पास के सरकारी स्कूलों में।

दैनिक जागरण दिल्ली, 16 सितम्बर 2014, पेज-2

हिन्दुतान, दिल्ली, 15 सितम्बर 2014

कोर्ट की मदद से मिला छात्रा को दाखिला

दिल्ली सरकार नौवीं कक्षा में दाखिला देने को राजी

न्यायमूर्ति मनमोहन की खंडपीठ के समक्ष सोशल ज्यूरिस्ट संस्था के सलाहकार व एडवोकेट अशोक अग्रवाल ने मांग की कि छात्रा को नौवीं कक्षा में दाखिला देने का निर्देश दिया जाए।

रास्ट्रीय सहारा, दिल्ली, 14 सितम्बर 2014, पेज-5

नजराना को मिला शिक्षा का ‘नजराना’

उल्लेखनीय है कि छात्र नजराना ने अधिवक्ता अशोक अग्रवाल के माध्यम से याचिका दायर कर नौंवी कक्षा में दाखिला दिलाए जाने की मांग की थी और साथ ही दिल्ली सरकार की उस अधिसूचना को चुनौती दी थी जिसमें कहा गया था कि नौंवी कक्षा में अन्य राज्यों से आकर दाखिला लेने वाले छात्र-छात्रओं को प्रवेश परीक्षा देना अनिवार्य है।

दैनिक जागरण, दिल्ली, 14 सितम्बर 2014, पेज-7

इंसाफ दिलाते हैं ‘पोस्टकार्ड अंकल’

A STATE THAT HAS NO ‘SPACE’ FOR ITS CHILDREN: OVER A THOUSAND LEFT OUT OF SCHOOL IN DELHI

In support of denial of admissions to over a thousand students in Class IX in its schools, the Government of NCT Delhi has come up with a stand that not only sounds akin to a ‘sons of the soil’ policy, but goes one step further in treating students even of unaided private schools recognised by the GNCTD itself, as outsiders.

The Directorate of Education, GNCTD, through ADE (School), in its reply to a letter written by Advocate Ashok Agarwal, National President, All India Parents Association, condemning denial of admissions to over a thousand students in the garb of admission test, has stated that they are facing a “huge crunch” of space and “finding it difficult to adjust Non Plan students”.

These “unplanned” or “unwanted” children of the city are mostly those having cleared Class VIII from schools outside Delhi and migrated to Delhi under some compelling circumstances or those who have cleared Class VIII from private recognised schools of Delhi but unfortunately their parents can no longer bear the rising burden of private school fee. Running from pillar to post, these children have been virtually disowned by the State on the ground that they were never planned for. Planned or not planned, the fact remains that there are over a thousand children presently in Delhi who have been forced to drop out and sit at home after Class VIII as the Delhi Government schools have refused to admit them citing “space-crunch” and they cannot afford to study in private schools.

On 25.04.2014, the Directorate of Education, Government of Delhi, came up with a Circular mandating that Class IX admissions to students other than those having passed Class VIII from Delhi Government schools shall be given on the basis of admission test. Thereafter, admission tests were conducted on 02.05.2014, 23.07.2014 and 19.08.2014.

However, over a thousand children who were either not aware of these tests, being from outside Delhi, or not permitted to appear on technical grounds or otherwise failed to qualify any of the tests, are now free to sit at home or contribute to the already vast army of child-labour in the city.

Ashok Agarwal, Advocate

M: 9811101923

09.09.2014

SLUM-CHILDREN OF YAMUNA KHADAR ASSERT THEIR RIGHT TO EDUCATION - AIPA WRITES TO DELHI LT. GOVERNOR NAJEEB JUNG

सुचना - सरकारी स्कूल में कक्षा 9 में दाखिला हेतु

जिन बच्चो को इस साल सत्र 2014-2015 में कक्षा 9 में दाखिला नहीं हो पाया A चाहे उन बच्चो ने कक्षा 9 में दाखिला हेतु परीक्षा दी हो या ना दी हो या वो परीक्षा में फ़ैल हो गए हो  या किसी कारणवश उनका दाखिला कक्षा 9 में नहीं हो पाया तो वो सभी बचे जल्द से जल्द अधिवक्ता अशोक अग्रवाल से संपर्क करे A उनकी तरफ से दाखिले के लिए दिल्ली हाई कोर्ट में केस डाला जा रहा हैं A जिसका कोई भी फीस या खर्चा नहीं लिया जाएगाA

 

अशोक अग्रवाल, अधिवक्ता

मोबाइल :- 9811101923

कार्यालय:- 9868529459