LAHORE: The provincial secretary for schools education department on Thursday told the Lahore High Court that action was being taken against private schools for increasing fee unlawfully.

Secretary Muhammad Mahmood further told the court that the government had already taken cognizance of the matter and a meeting of all departments concerned was scheduled for Sept 14.

Explaining his inability to attend last hearing of the case, the secretary said the court’s order had not been communicated to him appropriately.

Justice Shahid Waheed adjourned further hearing till Sept 16 and directed the secretary to submit report about the outcome of the meeting.

On Wednesday, the judge had expressed dismay over the non-appearance of the secretary.

“Should the court issue arrest warrants of the secretary?” Justice Waheed had asked a deputy secretary present in the court.

Several parents filed petitions pleading that the private schools increased their fees by over 50 per cent without any justification.

They argued that the schools were required to submit details of their income and to the schools education department for a reasonable increase in the fee structure. They asked the court to set aside the increase implemented by the schools for being unlawful and order the respondent department to take action against them as well.

LABOUR: Justice Jawad Hassan on Thursday issued a notice to the Punjab labour secretary on a question as to how the government could restrain labour inspectors from entering and inspecting factories or industries.

Advocate Sheraz Zaka argued on behalf of a petitioner that labour inspectors should be allowed to conduct raids to verify record regarding payment of wages and social security contribution.

He said the ban on labour inspectors’ entry to the premises of factories will lead to exploitation of working class and poor workers especially working in brick kilns.

He argued that the appointment of labour inspectors was made under section 10 of Factories Act of 1934. Therefore, he said, the government’s notification restraining the inspectors from entering factory premises should be declared unconstitutional and in gross violation of section 10 and 11 of Factories Act 1934.

The judge heard the arguments and issued notice to the secretary labour for Sept 19.

Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2019