The Chhattisgarh High Court has directed the state government to establish a transparent mechanism for filling the remaining school seats under the Rights of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act. The directive was issued during a hearing on April 20 regarding a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by C V Bhagvant Rao against the Union of India and others.
Current Admission Status
The Department of School Education submitted a personal affidavit detailing the admission status. According to records, 38,439 applications were received against 21,975 available seats. Officials validated 27,203 applications. A lottery conducted on April 15 allotted 15,426 seats across the state. Students must complete the admission process by May 31.
Court's Observations and Directions
Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal noted on April 20 that the academic session began on April 1. The bench directed the state to present a clear plan for the allotment of the remaining seats before the next hearing. The court emphasized the need for a transparent mechanism to ensure fair distribution of seats.
Intervention on St. Xavier School
The court also heard an intervention by Atharva Gupta regarding St. Xavier School. A proposal to merge its Ranisagar and Bharni campuses was rejected by the district education officer on administrative grounds. The High Court observed that the current PIL does not cover this specific grievance. It granted the intervenors liberty to challenge the decision before an appropriate forum.
The next hearing is scheduled for May 7.
