The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court directed the State to file a report to a public interest litigation petition that sought a direction to the authorities concerned to ensure proper functioning of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes hostels run by the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department in Madurai district.
A Division Bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and A.D. Maria Clete sought response from the authorities on the petition filed by C. Selvakumar of Madurai.
The petitioner said there were no conservancy workers and night watchmen/guards in these hostels. No conservancy worker had been appointed to these hostels, while night watchmen/guards who were supposed to be on duty were not discharging their duty properly. Despite the biometric attendance system, the watchmen/guards register their arrival and leave the hostels, he alleged.
He said he had made a representation to the authorities to ensure good food, health, safety along with education to the students. He requested the authorities to appoint conservancy workers in SC/ST hostels in the district, fill the vacant night watchman/guard posts and take necessary departmental action against the non-performing hostel wardens. However, no action was taken, he said.
He sought a direction to the authorities to ensure the proper functioning of all the SC/ST hostels in Madurai district by appointing conservancy workers and night watchmen/guards to the hostels. The court posted the matter for hearing after two weeks.