Slow progress in construction of Karnataka Public Schools irks DCM

DCM flays DCs and ZP CEOs in for alleged negligence

Bengaluru Express
Bengaluru, May 31: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar today expressed unhappiness over slow progress in construction of Karnataka Public Schools in the state.

The DCM took a dig at the DCs and Zilla Panchayat CEOs during a meeting to review the progress of Karnataka Public Schools in the state. “CSR funds to the tune of Rs 8,000 crore is available in the state. We had given clear instructions two years ago that CSR funds of corporates must be used to build Karnataka Public Schools. It has come to our notice that some of the corporations from the state are allocating CSR funds to some private NGOs in other states and taking back 50% of that amount in cash. This is resulting in a loss for the state, it is our responsibility to use it for building the schools,” he said.

Corporates can use their brands in schools
“The Corporates need not give the government any funds, they can build a school and hand it over to the government. The government can even provide lands and building designs. The Corporates can even brand the schools in their name,” he said.

“We are building 13 CSR Karnataka Public Schools in my constituency and each of these schools cost anywhere between Rs 9 crore to Rs 12 crore. The work on Karnataka Public Schools is progressing well only in some regions, while there is negligence in other regions,” he said.

The DCM urged the district administration to write letters to Corporates in their districts and arrange a meeting to discuss construction of the schools using their CSR funds. “The Education department will provide designs for the schools; the Corporates need to get a building up and running. Set a target to build one model public school in every taluk and based on that feedback set a target to build one school for three grama panchayats,” he told the DCs and CEOs.

“I have instructed the Bengaluru DC and Zilla Panchayat CEO to call for a meeting of all corporates in its jurisdiction and discuss allocation of CSR funds. Similarly, district administration in each of the districts must hold meetings with corporates,” he said, adding that he would take regular progress reports from now on.

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