Dumka, July 15 : As many as 33 government schools have Friday as their weekly off instead of Sunday, apparently without any permission from authorities in Indian state Jharkhand. Ten government schools of Dumka's Shikaripara Block, eight of Ranishwar Block, seven of Saraiyahat Block, two of Jama Block and Jarmundi Block, Kathikund Block and Dumka Block have holidays on Fridays.
The most of these institutions sport name boards suffixing "Urdu school" along with the names of the schools.
The District Education authorities have sought a report into the matter, after which officials said an investigation will be initiated.
Incidentally, Dumka is the hometown of chief minister Hemant Soren.
"We have written a letter to the Block education officers of the 33 schools advising them to enquire into the matter. All the schools have Urdu in their names," said Sanjay Kumar Das, District Superintendent of Education, Dumka district.
The official said that no instruction to keep schools closed on Friday has been issued by the department.
"It is being investigated how Urdu is tied to these institutions and under what conditions a weekly holiday on Friday is being offered in government schools. There's no instruction from the department to keep schools closed on Friday. After receiving the report, we'll start an investigation," said Das.
RAIN FURY KILLS 4 MORE, TOLL RISES TO 99 IN INDIAN STATE MAHARASHTRA
Mumbai, July 15 : Four more people have died in rain-related incidents in Indian state Maharashtra, taking the toll in the current monsoon season to 99.
These deaths all from Gondia district in eastern Maharashtra while three more persons are missing in the state, said the state disaster management department.
.The state has received heavy showers in almost all parts in the last few days, leading to flooding and water- logging.
The downpour was largely experienced in Gadchiroli, Bhandara, Palghar, Chandrapur and Gondia districts in the last 24 hours, the report said.
With the new fatalities, the number of people killed in rain-related incidents in Maharashtra since June 1 has reached 99, it said.
However, the number of people evacuated from areas battered by heavy showers was not officially released, the report said.