Human Rights panel orders restoration of water, power to Munnar school without NOC

Idukki: The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has directed that temporary connections for drinking water and electricity be provided to a school building where supply was cut off due to the absence of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Revenue Department.

Commission chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas issued the order to the district collector following a media report that Munnar Government Vocational Higher Secondary School had lost its water and power supply for want of an NOC. The Commission registered a suo motu case based on the report.

The Commission instructed the district collector to hold joint discussions with education officials to regularise the construction of the building. If required, Public Works Department engineers must be asked to check the fitness of the building. A detailed report of the action taken should be submitted to the Commission.

The school principal and the regional deputy director of higher secondary education have also been asked to file separate reports. The RDO, on behalf of the collector, and a representative of the principal have been directed to appear before the Commission at its sitting at the Thodupuzha Rest House on October 22 at 10 am.