JUDGMENT :

S. Muralidhar, J.

1. The central issue in the present batch of writ petitions concerns the charging of fees by private unaided schools in the State of Odisha in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic from March, 2020 onwards.

The petitions

2. The lead petition in the present batch is Writ Petition (Civil) PIL No. 11299 of 2020 filed by Mr. Mohammed Mustaq Ansari, who appears in person. The prayer in this petition inter alia is for directions to the Government of Odisha to issue necessary orders directing both the private unaided and aided schools not to collect tuition fees for the lockdown period till actual commencement of classes in physical mode; not to increase in fees in the academic session 2020-21; "not to put extra financial burden on the parents or creating any new head of the fees for the academic session 2020-21" and for a direction to strictly enforce the provisions of law against the Managing Committee of those institutions who fail to strictly comply with the directions of the Government. The further prayer of the Petitioner is for a direction to the Government of