Leaders, people express concern over lack of amenities in schools

Highlights

In a meeting held at the Collectorate here on Saturday, peoples’ representatives cutting across party lines expressed concerns over lack

However, only six of nineteen MLAs in the district turned up for the meet

Kakinada: In a meeting held at the Collectorate here on Saturday, peoples’ representatives cutting across party lines expressed concerns over lack of amenities in schools and also about the quality of eggs being supplied to school children and pregnant women in the district. The SSA (Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan) pointed out that the construction of class rooms in schools is yet to be completed. The DDRC (District Development Review Committee) meeting was chaired by Rajamahendravaram MP, Maganti Murali Mohan.

The issue of amenities in schools elicited a sharp criticism when the DEO, R. Narasimha Rao was explaining about the construction of sheds for cooking in various schools and the allocation of budget for it.

Unhappy over meagre allocation of Rs.1.78 lakh to the construction of sheds, parties who were allotted works on nomination basis are backing out to complete the construction work of schools pointing to insufficient budget. As a result, construction of schools in several schools is not completed in time, the DEO revealed.

BJP MLC Somu Veer Raju who participated in the review meeting, agreed to foot the expenses of building sheds if he is permitted to do so. Toeing the stand taken by his colleague, TDP MLC, Reddy Subrahmanyam said that he too is keen to take up construction on similar terms. The District Collector H Arun Kumar gave his backing to the proposal.

At this juncture, MLC Veer Raju raised the issue of the size of eggs weighing 20 grams being supplied to children and pregnant women, whereas the existing norms stipulate the size of egg as 60 grams in weight.

The authorities are paying a price of Rs. 4.50 to Rs 4.70 to procure small size eggs, whereas the cost of a small size egg does not exceed Rs.2, Veerraju observed. The MLC said that lack of accountability coupled with callousness on the part of authorities is leading to such discrepancies.

Kakinada(Rural) MLA, Pilli Anatalakshmi, Mummidivaram MLA, Datla Subba Raju brought to the notice of the DDRC about lack of compound wall facility to several high schools. In the absence of compound wall, the school premises are being misused by local vagabonds after school hours, they pointed out.

Replying to the issue raised by the MLAs, SSA Project Officer Seshagiri clarified that as per the norms, any construction activity cannot be taken by SSA in high schools. Joining the MLAs on the issue of compound wall, MLC Reddy Subrahmanyam said that the schools are discouraged to allot examination centers due to lack of compound walls.

Issues pertaining to agriculture, DWMA. APEPDCL were among other issues that came up for a discussion in the meeting.

Kakinada MP, Thota Narasimham, ZP Chairman Namana Rambabu also presided over the meet. However, only six of nineteen MLAs in the district turned up for the DDRC meet that is considered very important to discuss developmental activities in the district.

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