Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 27:
No concrete evidence can be established to justify proper utilisation of Rs 30 crore allocated by the Government under the Additional Central Assistance (ACA) programme conceived by the Centre for construction, repairing and setting up model schools in each of the district, alleged a source.
The ACA allocation released in March this year were to be used in renovation and establishing internet connectivity at 15 selected high schools and higher secondaries, informed the source and added that each institution was supposed to get Rs 20 lakhs.
The renovation works were to be carried out at the following high/higher secondary schools existing under the Education Department: Johnstone Hr Sec, TG Hr Sec, Lilong Hr Sec, Ibotonsana Hr Sec, CC Hr Sec, Jiribam Hr Sec, Chaoyaima hr Sec (Thoubal), Bishnupur Hr Sec, Moirang Multi-purpose Hr Sec, Phunkhothang Hr Sec, Ukhrul H/S, Maram H/S and Nungba HS.
When The Sangai Express contacted the headmasters/headmistresses of some of the schools in Imphal area, the school authorities said that they have heard the Government trying to take up school development measures but however maintained that they have no knowledge of the progress of the said programme.
They even disclosed that some Education Department employees made some inquiries and land measurements were taken some months back with no further follow-up action.
The Department officials had also demanded that respective heads of the institution furnish detailed report regarding repairing and new construction, they informed.
Separate allocation under the ACA released on March 24, this year included Rs 4,32,21,450 for purchase of library books, science laboratory equipment, audio-visual component, computer set, generating set, internet connectivity etc.
Each of the 15 selected institutions were to be provided around Rs 28 lakhs for purchase of the material with a separate allocation as transportation charge.
The source disclosed that officials of the department had intimated to school authorities to collect furniture items but had to return empty handed as no such arrangement were made.