When will Delhi schools reopen for primary classes? DDMA to decide today

New Delhi: The Delhi government is expected to take a call on permitting Ramlilas during the Dussehra festival and reopening of schools for junior classes in a crucial meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) scheduled to be held on Wednesday.

Office bearers of some prominent Ramlila organising committees in the city had met Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Tuesday and urged him that the curb imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic be lifted.

The DDMA, in its previous order, had banned all kinds of religious, political, cultural and social gatherings because of the pandemic. The issues of allowing Ramlila and reopening schools for junior classes are likely to be discussed in the meeting of the DDMA for a final call, official sources said.

Arjun Kumar, the secretary of Luv Kush Ram Leela Committee, one of the oldest in the city, said, "A delegation met the LG seeking approval for holding Ramlila. We are hopeful that the permission will be granted by the DDMA."

All schools for classes nine to 12 had reopened in Delhi from September 1 following the improvement in the Covid situation in the city. Many private schools have demanded the Delhi government allow students from classes six to eight to physically attend school claiming the Covid situation has improved significantly in the city.

A DDMA-constituted panel has recommended phase-wise reopening of schools in the national capital. It had recommended reopening schools for classes nine to 12 from September 1 and for classes six to eight from September 8.

The DDMA order issued earlier this month, listing various prohibited and allowed activities under phased reopening from Covid-caused lockdown, will expire on midnight of September 30.