Anantnag admin orders closure of school and Rs 1 lakh fine for violating COVID-19 directives

Anantnag: Authorities on Saturday ordered the closure of the premises of a school in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district and imposed one lakh rupees fine for keeping the institution open in violation of the government directive amid COVID-19.

District Magistrate Anantnag said the Chief Education Officer of the district while acting on a complaint, led a team of officials and inspected Oxford Presentation High School KP Road Anantnag.

It was found that normal class work was going on in the school without observing any SOPs of COVID-19, especially in pre-primary classes, in violation of government orders.

“The act of school administration may have serious ramifications as COVID-19 infection has not been controlled and the government has strictly directed that normal school work shall not be resumed as the young kids are one of the vulnerable groups,” reads an order issued by the Deputy Commissioner Anantnag.

In order to safeguard the precious lives and as a prophylactic measure, the Deputy Commissioner said that it was felt necessary to close the establishment to prevent the spread of disease.

“In view of the above, I, K K. Sidha (KAS) District Magistrate Anantnag, in exercise of powers vested to me under Section 144 of the Cr.PC, Section 34 of National Disaster Management Act 1897, do hereby order the closure of aforesaid premises till further orders besides imposition of penalty to the tune of Rs. 1:00 Lac only for violating guidelines of government,” reads the order.

“Tehsildar Anantnag and SHO Anantnag shall close the premises immediately and report compliance,” the deputy commissioner said in the order. (GNS)