Maharashtra: 829 Gadchiroli villages have no Internet, says DoT

NAGPUR: Even as the education sector has switched over to online format due to Covid-19 pandemic and resultant lockdowns, as many as 829 villages in Gadchiroli district have no Internet connectivity. This was revealed by the department of telecommunications (DoT) in an affidavit filed before the Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court on Wednesday when hearing on a suo motu PIL (No7/2020) took place.
The public interest litigation (PIL) was based on letters by 10 school students, hailing from remote villages in the Naxalite-infested district, to the HC Chief Justice and senior administrative judge at the Nagpur bench, where Firdos Mirza was appointed as amicus curiae.
Upset over the information by the DoT, a division bench comprising justices Sunil Shukre and Anil Pansare expressed concern over the future of schoolchildren from the tribal-dominated district.
“The DoT reply brings on record a very disturbing picture about Gadchiroli, where not less than 829 villages lack mobile Internet connectivity. If this is the situation prevailing there, one can very well imagine what would happen to the future of Maharashtra’s next generation which would come from this district. No physical classes are being held and children from these 829 villages are also unable to participate in the digital classes,” the judges noted.
Equally peeved over reports of irregular supply of midday meals to children in the backward district, the bench asked respondents to file a reply on this anomaly.
“The midday meal (MDM) scheme is an important aspect concerning children under the Right to Education (RTE) Act. It is contended that because of online classes, at some places, no midday meals are being provided and no allowance whatsoever in lieu of that. In these circumstances, a reply from each of the respondents — Rashtrapati Bhavan’s cabinet secretary, state chief secretary, and state energy department’s principal secretary, is necessary,” said the bench.
While adjourning the hearing by four weeks, the judges asked the state tribal development department’s principal secretary to file a reply covering all aspects raised by it during the hearing and also on orders passed by it on September 8. He was further told to submit a list of schools providing education up to Std X in Gadchiroli.
While hearing an application by intervenor Shrawan Taran, the justices noted that he wanted to point out deficiencies existing in the Gadchiroli’s education field. “The purpose is understandable, and laudable as well. However, the appropriate way of serving the cause in relation to the issues raised in this PIL for the intervenor would be by assisting the amicus. Accordingly, giving liberty to him to assist Mirza, we dispose of this application,” they said.
# WHAT THE HC SAID
* DoT reply discloses very disturbing picture about Gadchiroli
* Concerned over future of next generation from the district
* No physical classes being held due to Covid-19 pandemic
* Many unable to attend online classes as there is no Internet connectivity
* Midday meal scheme is important aspect under right to education