₹1,000 Cr Allocation 'Drop In The Ocean' Against ₹20,000 Cr Need: Rajasthan High Court Doubts State's Sincerity For Govt School Infra

While underscoring the need for adequate budget allocation towards government school infrastructure, the Rajasthan High Court directed the Chief Secretary to file an affidavit disclosing the complete road map for construction/repair of the school buildings/rooms as well as the measures adopted for ensuring safety of school going children. The division bench of Justice Mahendra Kumar Goyal and Justice Ashok Kumar Jain considered the argument of the Secretary, School Education Department that Rs. 20,000 crores were required for construction/repair work in government school out of which Rs. 1,624 crores were sanctioned and Rs. 1,000 crores were proposed in the budget for FY 2026-27. In this background, the Court observed, “…this budget proposal appears to be a drop in the ocean…learned Advocate General is unable to convince this Court as to how, with such a paltry and highly inadequate budget, the Government shall be able to provide safe and secure infrastructure to the school going children.”The Court was hearing the Suo Moto PIL in the matter of safety and well-being of school-going children wherein it was observed that despite an assurance by the State in September 2025, that no dilapidated buildings were being used as schools, many incidents had happened where school buildings had collapsed.Further, it was highlighted that students were still studying under open sky and trees in unhealthy conditions. It was submitted by the Secretary of the School Education Department that Rs. 20,000 Crores were required for the repair, however only Rs. 1,624 Crores were sanctioned till date, and Rs. 1000 crores were proposed in the budget of FY 2026-27. In addition to this budgetary constraints, it was further informed by the AAG that despite his repeated requests to the State Authorities for sharing of communications which they were having with the Central Government Officials to get financial aid, no information was provided to him. The Court stated, “we are not convinced that the State Authorities are genuinely sincere to ensure safe and secure infrastructure to the school going children even in near future.”In this light, the Chief Secretary was directed to file the above-mentioned affidavit. Further, the Amicus Curiae and the AAG were requested to suggest a panel of experts for supervising the construction/repair of the school buildings. The matter is listed on March 28, 2026. Title: Suo Motu v Union of India and other connected petitionsClick Here To Read/Download Order

₹1,000 Cr Allocation 'Drop In The Ocean' Against ₹20,000 Cr Need: Rajasthan High Court Doubts State's Sincerity For Govt School Infra

Nupur Agrawal

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