'Children May Suffer Diseases': AP High Court 'Alarmed' By Govt Hostel Conditions, Seeks Report From Chief Secretary

While hearing a PIL highlighting the alarming inadequacies of basic facilities in student hostels run by the State Government, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has directed the Chief Secretary to formulate complete proposals outlining measures to alleviate the miseries of students living in such hostels.Expressing grave concern over the reports of unhygienic conditions, overcrowding, and lack of basic amenities in the hostels, a Division Bench of Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Ravi Cheemalapati lamented,“The entire purpose of bringing in children into these hostels was to enable them to achieve their goals and participate in the progress of the country by becoming good citizens upon getting proper education with the minimal facilities which are otherwise required for the growth of a child in a healthy manner. The situation, however, does not reflect that the present state of affairs would in any manner help the children achieve those goals. On the other hand, they may suffer disease on account of the conditions which prevail as has been reflected in the reports before us.”The Court was initially informed that hostels run by the Department of Social Welfare and Tribunal Welfare Department were set up in accordance with the guidelines prescribed by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), which stipulated the minimum facilities to be provided to children residing in hostels. However, the PIL petition highlighted that most of the children were not provided with nutritious food, bedding, mattresses, pillows, mosquito nets and repellents and even basic toilet facilities. The dilapidated conditions of hostel buildings were also stated to pose a threat to children residing in such schools.Accordingly, the Court issued directions on 08.01.2025 to the Commissioner, Social Welfare Department, to provide data of each hostel and the students housed therein— detailing the facilities which were being provided and those which ought to be provided but have not yet been provided, along with details of the utilised funds and those required additionally to address the deficiencies. The Court had also directed the District Legal Services Authorities in all districts to inspect at least 5 hostels and submit reports on the facilities provided and their prevailing deficiencies.Subsequently, an appalling state of affairs was highlighted in the reports submitted by DLSA. For instance— a girls hostel in Narsipatnam was revealed to have only one functional toilet and bathroom, with no arrangement of garbage disposal or basic necessities like cotton bedding and towels, mosquito nets, uniforms, shoes, and hygiene items. The food was found to be unhygienic and toilet facilities were substandard to a level which posed health hazards to the students.In another hostel which housed visually challenged students, deficiencies were found in regard to the staff necessary for assisting such children, with no provisions of library, RO water plant and CCTV. Additionally, many posts of helping staff were found to be lying vacant. Other reports highlighted problems of overcrowding and ventilation, leading to students being made to sleep on the floor in congestion.The matter is now listed on 21.07.2025.Case Details:Case Number: WP(PIL) NO: 47 of 2023Case Name: Keethineedi Akhil Sri Guru Teja Vs. The State of Andhra Pradesh and others Click Here To Read/Download Order

'Children May Suffer Diseases': AP High Court 'Alarmed' By Govt Hostel Conditions, Seeks Report From Chief Secretary

Saahas Arora

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