Alleging that the GO issued to regulate the weight of school bags for school going children was a publicity gimmick by the government since it has not been implemented despite being issued nearly two years ago, the Forum for Good Governance submitted a representation to the School Education Department in this regard on Monday.

In its letter, FGG said that as per surveys conducted in several districts of the state weight of school bags at primary level ranges between 6-12 kg and that of high school students is between 12-17kg. "This has a severe adverse physical effect on growing children and can damage their vertebral column and knees, it also causes anxiety in them. With school functioning in multistories buildings, children also have to climb stairs with the heavy bags which aggravates the problem," read the letter.

It stated that though the GO and the subsequent directions of the Regional Joint directors and District Educational officers instructed them to ensure its implementation, the GO has remained only on paper.

"Two years after the issue of the GO it has remained on paper only and the DEOs have not done anything, We have a reason to believe the GO was issued for publicity purpose only. We request chief Secretary to implement the GO at least from this academic year," said M Padmanabha Reddy secretary FGG.