Bypoll, MC elections delay work on 2 more SoEs in dist

Despite claims and announcements made by the district administration and education department on starting two more Schools of Eminence (SOEs) in Ludhiana, they are yet to see the light of day. The estimate of many pending works has been sent to the government for approval. If these are approved, funds will come and work will begin. As of now, the new SOEs remain a distant dream. The area MLA, however, agreed that there was a delay and the students were waiting for the schools to become operational.

These SOEs are to come up in two areas: Kidwai Nagar and Miller Ganj. Highly placed sources in the department informed that though the local MLA and officials from the district administration had visited the schools and claims were made to start them as soon as possible, it will take more time and students will have to wait. An official of the Education Department, who did not wish to be quoted, added that all eyes were presently on the by-elections and subsequently on Municipal Corporation elections and the schools will have to wait before they become operational.

In the third phase of plans for the Schools of Eminence (SoE) in the state, Ludhiana had to get two more schools.

District Education Officer Dimple Madan said basic construction was complete in both the schools while a few works were pending. For example, the laboratory facilities were to be provided. In Kidwai Nagar school, mid-day meal shed had to be constructed as that school in Division Number 3 will be shifted to a new building. Some electricity works were pending. “The estimates for all the works were sent to the department for approval and once they are cleared, we will get the payments for starting the pending works,” said Madan.

The GSSS, Kidwai Nagar, will have 40 rooms while the SOE, Miller Ganj, will have 22 rooms. Till now, just one School of Eminence at Sector 32, near Vardhman, has come up.

It may be mentioned here that during his visits to Ludhiana, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains had claimed that the schools will be started soon.

Ashok Parashar Pappi, area MLA from AAP, when contacted, admitted that there was a delay. “Presently, we are busy with the by-election in Dera Baba Nanak and will be free by November 17. But I had a word with the new DC about the schools and their pending works. Once I come back, we will visit the schools and put pressure on the government to release payments to start them as students are suffering and waiting for these two SOEs to become functional,” Parashar said.

At present, we are busy with the by-election in Dera Baba Nanak and will be free by November 17. But I had a word with the new DC about the schools and their pending works. Once I return, we will visit the schools and put pressure on the government to release payments to start them as students are suffering and waiting for these two SOEs to become functional.

Ashok Parashar Pappi, MLA