Minister lists steps to improve conditions in ashram schools

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 17. The Minister for Tribal Welfare, Ms. Mani Kumari, on Monday assured the House that steps to provide amenities and compound walls in all Girijan Ashram schools would be initiated. Replying to a question raised on atrocities on girl students in the schools, she said that Rs. 2.5 crores would be released for construction of compound walls and other works.

She also assured the members that women teachers would be appointed in all schools and warden posts also would be filled with women.

Earlier, Mr. Rajaiah of the CPI(M) alleged that though there was a rule that only men above 45 years of age should be appointed teachers in Ashram Pathasalas, younger ones were being appointed leading to problems.

Ms. Kutuhalamma of the Congress said an unanimous resolution should be passed by the House to recommend that rape be brought under 302 of the IPC.

Mr. S. Venkateswara Rao and Ms. Shobha Hymavathi Devi of the TDP disputed the Minister's claim that there were no atrocities and pointed out instances of rapes and molestations and even suicides.

The Minister's answer that the incidents having taken place during holidays were not the responsibility of the administration or the Government was termed callous by members cutting across party lines.

Urdu Teachers: The MIM floor leader, Mr. Asaduddin Owaisi, sought appointment of Urdu teachers to the vacant posts without further delay and said the Government was stalling the process by going to the High Court despite the AP Administrative Tribunal's award in favour of candidates in this regard. The DSC exam was conducted in 1997 for the appointment and yet several vacancies remained, he said.

The Minister for School Education, Mr. K. Srihari, said 1,013 candidates were selected under the S.G.T. category against notified vacancies of language pundits and 170 candidates were selected for the posts of school assistants against the notified vacancies of 179.

He also assured the member that rule of reservation was being honoured and in case of shortage of candidates among SCs and STs Urdu teacher posts were being filled with those from the minority community with proficiency in Urdu.

Municipal staff salaries: The Minister for Municipal Administration, Mr. N. Md. Farooq, said there were delays in giving salaries to municipal employees but it was more due to the lackadaisical attitude on part of officials. The Chief Minister was harping on self-sufficiency through efficiency but the officials were not working properly.

All municipal commissioners had been asked to achieve hundred per cent realisation of taxes and non-taxes and give top priority to payment of salaries and pensions, he said. In all, 39 municipalities had updated in this regard, he said. Twentysix had to pay one month dues, 20, two months, 13, three months, two, four months, four, five months and four more six months and two municipalities had to clear seven months dues.

Mr. A. Vivekananda Reddy of the Congress countered the Minister's claim that payments were not pending in all municipalities for long by giving the examples of Nellore, Kadiri and Bobbili. He sought special grants to mitigate the problems of employees.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Furore over vasectomies in Karimnagar
Next     : Curfew reimposed on Hubli