DCS/SPS TO INSPECT EACH AND EVERY SCHOOL BUS AND THEIR FITNESS STANDARD WITHIN THE NEXT 10 DAYS – T.V.S.N. PRASAD
Face2News/Chandigarh
Haryana Chief Secretary, Sh. T.V.S.N. Prasad today issued stringent directives to the civil and police administration to inspect each and every school bus in their respective districts and check their fitness standard within the next 10 days. He chaired an emergency meeting following the tragic incident in Mohindergarh district, where young school children lost their lives and many were injured due to negligence.
The meeting, conducted via video conference, included Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Range ADGPs, CPs, and district SPs, all convened to reinforce safety measures in schools. It is very important that unfit buses be promptly replaced with new ones and trained drivers be engaged by schools to ensure safe transportation. If any school fails to comply with the instructions, strict and exemplary action be taken against those responsible.
The Chief Secretary said that the loss of young lives at Kanina has left the State deeply disturbed requiring deep and detailed introspection and action. As public servants, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that school children receive the highest standard of safe transportation facilities, the Chief Secretary asserted.
“I want strict action to be taken against all individuals involved in this tragic incident, regardless of their identity. Those who playing the lives of innocent children for profit must face severe consequences. Strict exemplary action must instill fear among those who engage in such callous actions”, he added.
T.V.S.N. Prasad said that numerous policies and guidelines have already been issued by the relevant departments for safety purposes. However, the effective implementation of these measures lies with the field officers. In addition, he cautioned officers that in the event of a recurrence of such incidents in the future, decisive and unprecedented action will be taken at senior levels too.
T.V.S.N. Prasad emphasized that all officers must ensure the replacement of unfit school buses with new ones by the school management. Additionally, they should screen and ensure that trained drivers are employed. He instructed them to prioritize stringent oversight of influential school managements to send a clear message throughout the school system, ensuring strict adherence to safety instructions and guidelines issued by the relevant authorities for the protection of children. “I personally pledge to monitor the situation closely and review it after 10 days.
T.V.S.N. Prasad emphasized that all officers must ensure the replacement of unfit school buses with new ones by the school management. Additionally, they should screen and ensure that trained drivers are employed. He instructed them to prioritize stringent oversight of influential school managements to send a clear message throughout the school system, ensuring strict adherence to safety instructions and guidelines issued by the relevant authorities for the protection of children. “I personally pledge to monitor the situation closely and review it after 10 days.
We demand perceptible improvement, and we will not settle for anything less”, he further added.
Haryana should set an example as a model state for ensuring the safety of school children. This means having the best buses and the best drivers. Every department must work in coordination to ensure that the instructions issued are meticulously followed.
He said our hearts go out to the families who lost their beloved children. We must take immediate action to enforce the highest level of strictness and safety standards. We owe it to the parents who lost their children in the unfortunate incident and to every child in our care to keep their future secured. We cannot undo the tragedy that has occurred, but we can and must do everything in our power to prevent such incidents from happening again. Our children deserve nothing less.
Director General of Police, Sh. Shatrujeet Kapur briefed in the meeting that the Child Helpline 1098 has been seamlessly integrated with Haryana 112, ensuring that all calls are landed to emergency number. In addition, he recommended a thorough review of the operational efficiency of district-level committees overseeing the Surakshit School Vahan Policy.
Additional Chief Secretary School Education Dr. G. Anupama briefed the Chief Secretary that 3 arrests have already been made in the matter and the District Education Officer has issued a show cause notice to the school management. In addition, Mahendergarh District Municipal Commissioner has already assumed control over the management of the school.
Principal Secretary Transport Sh. Navdeep Singh Virk briefed the Chief Secretary on the existing Surakshit School Vahan Policy, which is designed to ensure the safe transportation of school children and is to be periodically monitored by the district administration. He further stated a rigorous scheme for the inspection of school buses will be formulated and enforced.