India, April 12 -- BATHINDA

Facing criticism from various quarters, Faridkot district education officer (DEO) Neelam Rani on Friday withdrew her controversial directive that had asked government schools to form student groups to inspect shops for possible substance sales.

In a revised order issued on Friday, the DEO clarified that instead of inspecting shops, a group of 10 students from Classes 9 to 12 will now be formed under the guidance of a teacher (acting as a nodal officer). These groups will be tasked with monitoring behavioural changes within their peer groups as part of the state's anti-drug campaign.

The original directive, issued on April 4, had instructed all government senior secondary schools to constitute teams to inspec...