Prayagraj: A total of 1,289 government-run primary and upper primary schools here are operating without electric connections. Among these, 712 schools are located 40 metres or less from an electricity pole, according to the officials.
Taking note of the shortcoming, chief development officer (CDO) Ashish Kumar passed an order for immediate action on the matter on September 25.
Kumar directed to ensure that all 2,852 government primary and upper primary schools in the city have electricity connections, the officials said. The CDO also took note of the fact that proper lighting and fans cannot be provided in these schools due to lack of electricity connections, according to a report in Hindustan Times.
The CDO ordered that the Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA), block education officers (BEOs) concerned and power department executive engineer should make a joint effort to ensure proper power connections to these schools on a priority basis, the report said.
“The department of basic education had made payment for power connections in 1,245 schools at the rate of Rs 6,955 per school in the financial year 2016-17. However, 847 schools did not get the connection even after four years having passed by. Similarly, in the financial year 2017-18, Rs 6,955 per school was also paid to the power department for electricity connection in 528 schools. Out of these, 442 schools did not get the electricity connection,” Prayagraj BSA Sanjay Kumar Kushwaha was quoted as saying by the national daily.
Taking both the financial years into account, 1,289 schools have not been granted power connections by the department despite making payments.
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