SSA becomes haven for looters
Latrine constructed for Rs.500 only
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, April 17 2012: Apart from its inability to ensure the benefits to the students of the state, the Sarva Shikshya Abhiyan (SSA), the Central government's flagship programme of ensuring free and compulsory education to children below the age group of 14 years, has become a perfect breeding place for looters usurp all the funds and benefits.

Almost all the sanctioned fund for implementation of SSA in Manipur by the Central government has been emptied in the name of construction and development of schools which hardly exist or exist just for namesake.

The whole process swindling the fund could be seen clearly in the construction of latrines for government Primary schools in Imphal East District.

The latrine constructed under SSA

When Hueiyen Lanpao conducted a spot inspection to get first hand report of the situation, the latrines for the Primary schools were found being constructed using bamboos only.

District Programme officer, SSA, Imphal East District told Hueiyen Lanpao that the provision for construction of a latrine in each school of the state under SSA was taken up following an order of the Supreme Court of India.

Accordingly an amount of Rs 4000 each had been sanctioned for every school for the year 2011-12 .

As construction of a proper latrine with a mere amount of Rs 4000 is impossible, the authority concerned has kept the whole amount unused for quite some time.

However, some people from Khundrakpam A/C approached the authority in the name of their elected representative for releasing the amount, saying that they have constructed latrines, the officer disclosed.

The officer further informed that when he went for inspection, he found the latrines constructed were in worst manner.

The latrines appeared as if they have been constructed in a day's time with an amount which could hardly cross Rs 500 including wages.

They latrines have neither tanks nor commodes and there is no privacy.

The individuals, who constructed the latrines and came to the office to collect the bills, also informed that they have lobbied the Centre for the contract work.