Rice shortage hits KGBVs in Mahabubabad district

​Mahabubabad: Lack of rice supply by the government to Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) in Mahabubabad district has hit hard the students at the schools, since the reopening.

The authorities at the KGBVs have been complaining that despite submitting indent for the supply of rice, they haven’t received it. The indents were submitted on the first of every month. The schools are yet to receive rice for the months of June and July.

As a result, the principals/special officers at the schools were forced to procure the rice on credit from neighbouring government schools or from local stores. There are 12 KGBVs in the district and the situation is same in all the schools, the sources said.

“We have submitted indent at the time of reopening of the schools but rice is not supplied so far,” informed Nellikuduru KGBV Special Officer E Sumalatha, who is now on suspension following hospitalisation of students after consuming their dinner last Saturday.

Speaking to The Hans India, she said the rice that the students consumed has been procured from a neighbouring government school on credit in order to feed the students. She clarified that the students suffered due to indigestion as the food was improperly cooked and it was not a case of food poison.

“Every official and elected representative, who visited the school, blamed the staff at the school but they failed to address the issues we are facing. Even after the visit of the District Collector and the local MLA two days ago the rice is not supplied yet”.

There are several issues the KGBV is facing. Out of 13 washrooms only three are functioning, there are two RO plants installed at Nellikuduru KGBV but due to improper power supply they are not being operated. It is requested to install a transformer at the school but none cared to address it.

“We are forced to spend a part of our meagre salaries towards maintenance of the schools as the officials concerned failed to address the problems we are facing. I haven’t received my salary for the past two months. But I am made a scapegoat for a mistake I haven’t committed,” Sumalatha lamented.

local MLA B Shanker Naik responding on the issue stated that the government is ensuring timely supply of rice to all schools in the district. He said he would look into the issue of KGBVs and ensure rice supply forthwith. Mahabubabad DEO Nageshwara Rao informed that the delay has been caused due to change of date of supply during previous indent. The rice supply to the KGBVs has started on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, unofficial holiday was declared at Nellikuduru KGBV as the students went home following the recent incident. Similarly, the hostel at Model School in Chityal mandal of Bhupalpalli district was also closed due to lack of rice and the same is the situation at many residential schools.