The Delhi High Court today asked the city government to inform it why draw of lots in nursery admission be not held afresh for all seats under neighbourhood scheme instead of just for those seats which were vacated after inter-state transfer category was scrapped.

Justice Manmohan asked the counsel for the government to take instructions from the directorate of education and listed the matter for further hearing tomorrow.

The court was hearing a plea against city government's decision to do away with the system of allocating points to inter-state transfer cases of children seeking admission in nursery classes here.

Delhi government had on February 27 issued a notification scrapping the inter-state transfer category under which it used to give five points to children whose parents have been transferred to the national capital from another state.

The notification was issued by the government after it admitted in court that there was misuse of the inter-state category.

The petition challenging the February 27 notification as being "totally arbitrary and unjustified" has been filed by Major Saurabh Charan and some other parents who have sought quashing of the government's decision to do away with the inter-state transfer category.

The petition has also sought directions to the government "to confirm the list of successful candidates/applicants including the children of present petitioners published by the schools prior to the passing of the impugned notification/ order..."

In the alternative, they have sought that draw of lots be conducted afresh for all seats under neighbourhood category by cancelling the entire draw held prior to February 27 and not just of those children who had availed of the benefit of the inter-state transfer category.

Under the earlier system, out of the total 100 points, 70 were given if the child lives in the neighbourhood of the school, additional 20 were given if a sibling is studying there, five points more if either parent is an alumni and another five points if it is an inter-state transfer case.

Those having 90 or more points are directly admitted while the rest have to undergo the draw of lots for admission.