Chandigarh, July 26

Taking suo motu cognisance of a news report carried in these columns on the plight of students compelled to drop out due to non-availability of infrastructure and institutions along the Patiala-Rajpura highway, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has called for a report from the state and its policy on establishment of higher secondary schools. The state has also been asked to explain the absence of higher secondary school for girls between Patiala and Rajpura.

Taking into consideration the issues involved in the public interest litigation, the Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Vikas Suri also impleaded the Punjab Secretary, Department of the Higher Education, as a respondent.

The Bench also issued notice of motion to the state through its Chief Secretary and the other respondent.