Aurangabad: The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay high court issued notices to the state and the education department after a few physically handicapped teachers filed a writ petition seeking that the court issue directions to the education department to release funds to them for purchasing scooters adapted for their special needs.A government resolution of February 8, 2013 had said that Rs 50,000 would be released for purchase of a scooter with adaption for persons with disabilities. The financial limit for such funding was increased to Rs 1 lakh in another government resolution of November 19, 2015.The teachers approached the zila parishad in various parts of the state seeking funds. However, the director of the education department, Pune, cited “technical reasons” and said he was unable to release the funds. That is how the petition came to be filed in court.The teachers claimed that the excuse of “technical reasons” was being offered to deprive handicapped teachers of their due. The division bench, comprising Justice SV Gangapurvala and Justice Sunil Kotwal, issued notices returnable on August 16 this year.A decision on this petition is likely to impact hundreds of physically disabled teachers employed with the state.Lawyer Pradnya Talekar, who is representing the teachers, said applications totally Rs 1.15 crore are pending with the director of education, Pune.One teacher claimed that the state, while issuing the government resolution, did not put in place a complaint redressal mechanism. Another explained that in the absence of a proper complaint redressal mechanism, teachers were forced to approach the HC.

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