Activist files rejoinder to schoolbag GR

MUMBAI: The Bombay high court was told on Tuesday that the state government is silent on who will monitor recommendations of a panel to reduce the weight of school bags.
In a rejoinder to the government, activist Swati Patil, who filed a PIL highlighting the adverse effects on school children lugging heavy bags, said there are loopholes in the November 5 government resolution.At a previous hearing, the court was told the GR has directed implementation of the panel’s July 21 recommendations by the month end and put the onus on principals and trustees.
Patil’s affidavit said the November 5 GR is “ambiguous and misconceived.’’ “The whole world is watching this PIL as no court in the world has come out with a solution for reducing the school bag burden,” it added.
Government advocate Anjali Helekar told a bench of Justice V M Kanade and Justice Revati Mohite-Dere that she would not be able to respond unless she goes through Patil’s rejoinder.