Civil works halted
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 24 2013: The standoff between School Management Development Committees (SMDCs) and Engineering Cell of Directorate of Education (S) has brought the civil works under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) to a standstill.

In a press conference held at its Palace Compound office, All Manipur Student Guardians' Organisation (AMSGO) Organisation Secretary S Sumati said, according to SSA guidelines, Union Ministry of Human Resource Development provides fund through Axis Bank to SMDCs to take up civil works in Government schools.

However, the Engineering Cell of Directorate of Education (S) requested the Ministry to deposit the said fund in its account instead of providing it to SMDCs.

Challenging the request of the Cell, SMDC complained the matter to the High Court by filing a petition that in turn led to the halt in executing civil works worth around Rs 280 crore for the fiscal year 2012-13, she added.

While the standoff has created unnecessary delay in taking up civil works, it is also likely to serve as a hurdle in demanding fund for the fiscal year 2013-14 from the Centre as the State Government would not be able to send utilisation certificate for the current fiscal year amidst such a discord, she added.

For proper implementation of SSA, 90 percent of the total required amount is contributed by the Centre, she said and added that it is also not clear whether the State Government is contributing its 10 percent share.

Although a large number of qualified teachers have been recruited under SSA, many of them are seated at Directorate and ZEO offices as the State does not have adequate number of school buildings.

Sumati added that AMSGO would start organising awareness programmes on SSA at various localities of Imphal East and Imphal West districts.

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