-DNA
The high court, on Thursday, issued notices to the special officer and undersecretary to the education department over the income ceiling for free seats in schools for poor students under Right to Education Act (RTE).
Petitioner K Nagesh and two others had challenged the RTE rule of fixing the maximum income ceiling at `30,000 per month for getting free seats for general category students ofeconomically weaker sections.
In their petition, the three contended that on May 8, the state government had issued a notification regarding the implementation of the provisions of the act and the rules of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. As per the notification, children of general category can avail the free seat benefit only if their parents’ monthly income is below `30,000.
The notification said that children of people belonging to backward classes, irrespective of their income, are entitled to free seats in elementary or primary schools.
HC stays KAS exams
The high court on Thursday stayed Karnataka Administrative Services (KAS) examinations till September 3 in a petition filed by physically challenged candidates seeking 3 to 5 per cent reservation in the examinations. The petitioners sought direction from the court for 3 to 5 per cent reservation in KAS and Public Service Commission examinations. KAS examinations are scheduled to be held on August 25 and September 4.
The petition came up for hearing before the division bench headed by chief justice Vikramajit Sen.