UP schools left in darkness

UP schools left in darkness

The government was probably in dark till now. 55 thousands primary and junior schools’ in UP lack the facility of electric connection, this came to light during the campaigning and in preparation of polling booth after the announcement of Lok Sabha election. The children were forced to study in heat without any fan and lights. Now the instructions for the electricity connection are given.

The meeting was convened by the Election Commission of India for the preparation of Lok Sabha elections. In order to create polling booth, a list of primary and junior schools was sought. The electricity department presented the data that there are no electricity connections in 55 thousand schools in the state. Therefore, Principal Secretary of Energy Department Alok Kumar has instructed all the District Magistrates that the list of schools which do not have electricity connections should be prepared and given to the Nodal Superintending Engineers of Power Distribution Corporations. After this, the Primary Education Department will provide funds and campaigning will done to provide electric connection to all the schools.

Avadhesh Kumar Verma, Chairman of UP State Electricity Consumer Council, says that the education department speaks about giving basic facilities to the students but, the situation is clear in front of all the people  that millions of children are studying without lights and fans.

The Chief Secretary said that the gram panchayats is responsible for the schools whose connections have been cut due to the bill arrears. As per the directive of the State Finance Commission, 50 percent of the funds of the village panchayats can be utilized in the maintenance of pre-generated properties. He said that the electricity bill will be paid from this fund in the council primary and primary schools run in rural areas. The money for the outstanding bill must be paid immediately and the connections must be taken again.