PRESS RELEASE

New Delhi, 6th April, 2016

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that a primary school for girls in Sahari, Binpur Assembly Segment in Jangalmahal area of West Bengal may close soon due to non-availability of water.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of rights to education and health of the girl students enrolled in the school. It has issued notices issued to the Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal and District Magistrate, West Midnapore, West Bengal calling for reports within two weeks.

According to the media report, carried on the 3rd April, 2016, the school has two classrooms with 60 girl students. Its 10 toilets remain non-functional as there is no water. The Headmaster of the school has stated that without pipeline there is no possibility of getting water. The overhead tanks are connected with a tube well but it remain ineffective as the water has completely disappeared.

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