SC clears decks for 1,495 schools in Maharashtra

New Delhi, Feb 20 (UNI) The Supreme Court has cleared the decks for continuation of 1,495 schools, most of which are English medium or non-Marathi schools or those run by religious and linguistic minorities in Maharashtra.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, Justice R V Ravindaran and Justice J M Panchal set aside the order of Bombay High Court quashing the order of Maharashtra government dated May 16, 2006 vide which the state government had permitted the new unaided schools to function for imparting education to the wider section of society, including the weaker and the downtrodden sections of the state population.

The apex court in its 11-page order, however, granted liberty to the state government to take appropriate action against the defaulting schools, including cancellation of the permission.

In its order, the Supreme Court said, ''We, therefore, allow the appeals, set aside the judgement of the High Court.'' The Bombay High Court had quashed the order of the government holding that the Master Plan, as directed by it in Gram Vikas Mandal case, had not been finalised by the state government even after a lapse of 5-6 years.

UNI AKS/SC AKJ DB2120