NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
were waitlisted had also travelled on the train. These students were not originally selected to
participate in National Meet at Ahmedabad and their tickets were booked in the last minute. In
Rajokari Cluster, 42 students and teachers travelled on confirmed reservations. For the rest 82
students and teachers railway authorities attached a general bogie with a seating capacity of 90
and all the students could find some place to sleep. The small attendant adjustments are a part
of learning for the students. The efforts made by KVS in promoting the talent may be noted and
small hiccups may be ignored. In Hissar Cluster, 21 students and 04 teachers’ train reservations
could not be confirmed and they travelled by Volvo Bus. However, the bus failed on the way
and the journey was delayed. Other 12 students and 02 teachers of Hissar Cluster traveled by the
Haridwar Mail without confirmed reservation and reached Delhi with the help of co-passengers.
It is further stated that there was dereliction of duties on the part of the contingent leader, who
failed to perform the duties as expected. She should have decided the travel plan of the whole
contingent and guided the teachers instead of leaving them to decide on their own to travel with
un-confirmed reservations. Hence, it was proposed to take action against the Contingent Leader
of Gurugram Region for dereliction of duty.
4.96 Pursuant to further directions of the Commission, Executive Director Passenger Marketing,
Railway Board, New Delhi vide his communication dated 09.10.2015, submitted his report stating
that, from 13.10.2014 to 18.10.2014, there was mass gathering of Kendriya Vidyalaya teachers
and students in Ahmedabad for which the journey was not planned in advance. Most of them
were holding waitlisted tickets and last minute request dated 18.10.2014 (on date of disbursal
of students) was made by Kendriya Vidyalaya Authorities for confirming reservation for their
teachers and students travelling to various directions who had waitlisted tickets. Ahmedabad
Division of Railways had made certain arrangements to ensure the safe and comfortable
movement of teachers and students. It is stated that no extra coach was attached as Ashram
Express was running with maximum permissible load of coaches and only option was exercised
by earmarking the existing General Coach to the students and teachers. They were given highest
priority in all trains regarding allotment of emergency quota. Indian railways have provisions
for bulk booking during Advance Reservation Period and also booking of full coaches on Full
Tariff Rate. Had the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan approached for bulk booking or FTR well
in advance of their date of journey, suitable arrangements could have been made by railways.
October, being the peak holiday season, all the trains were already having long waiting list
with occupancy more than 10%. In spite of the short notice given to Railways to make the
arrangement, Ahmedabad Division had provided maximum possible assistance for the mass
movement of students. Copy of request letter dated 18.10.2014 by Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sabarmati,
to Railways Authority had also been enclosed.
4.97 The Commission further considered the matter and observed that the Commission had
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