Allahabad HC Directs State to Improve Medical Facilities for Children with Disabilities
Allahabad: In a landmark ruling, the Allahabad High Court directed the state government to develop appropriate educational and medical facilities, along with other support systems, across all districts of the state to ensure the holistic development of children with disabilities.
The order was passed by Justice Ajay Bhanot, followed a petition filed by Shivani, a teacher at a government school in Etah, who sought a transfer to a school in Noida or Ghaziabad on humanitarian grounds.
The petitioner’s advocate, Kashif Rizvi in his argument highlighted that the petitioner’s son suffers from autism and that the facilities in District Etah to address the needs of autistic children are not very advanced. He further stated that the transfer request should be allowed on humanitarian grounds, as Noida and Ghaziabad offer better facilities and treatment for such children.
The court noted that advanced facilities for medical care, education, and other support systems for children with disabilities are not sufficiently developed in many districts of the state.
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However, during the hearing, counsel for the Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) informed the court that the Parishad (Education Council) was overwhelmed with numerous transfer requests, particularly from teachers seeking transfers to Noida and Ghaziabad on medical grounds. As a result, it has become impossible for the state to accommodate all such requests.
Given the circumstances, the court ruled that the petitioner’s transfer could be decided after the completion of the academic session, in accordance with existing law and the writ petition.
