K’taka HC Takes Notice of Staff Shortages in SC/ST Student Hostels

The High Court of Karnataka has received assurance from the state government that a status report concerning the appointment of staff to SC/ST student hostels in specific districts will be presented following the implementation of necessary measures.

The submission was made within the context of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) initiated by the High Court itself.

The impetus for this litigation stemmed from a December 7 report in a Marathi newspaper, revealing the absence of staff appointments in these hostels despite specific guidelines.

Notably, the court observed instances where a single warden oversaw three or four government-run hostels.

Acknowledging media reports on the matter during December 14 hearing, Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice Krishna S Dixit of the division bench issued a notice to the state government, calling for a response to the allegations raised in the petition.

Furthermore, the court directed the appointment of advocate Nitin Ramesh as the amicus curiae in the case and instructed the Registrar of the High Court to transfer all pertinent documents related to the case for examination.

The court, during the hearing, expressed concern about the detrimental impact of staff shortages on the quality of education, leading to poor exam performance among students.

The court also raised apprehensions regarding the ongoing recruitment of personnel for 200 wardens, highlighting that, despite the notification, no appointments had been made by the government.

Emphasizing the urgency of addressing the issue promptly, the court sought information on whether there is a dedicated authority to bring such vacant positions to the government’s attention periodically.

Expressing its intention to delve deeper into the matter in the next hearing, the court adjourned the case, with proceedings set to resume after the winter vacation.