Date:02/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/02/stories/2007070253310300.htm

Kerala - Kottayam

Schools to get Internet facility

Staff Reporter

Kottayam Collector issues directive

Call to review computerisation of schools
‘Need to ensure drinking water, power supply’

KOTTAYAM: All Government schools in the district will be provided with telephone and Internet connectivity this year. District Collector Sharmila Mary Joseph has issued a directive to the Deputy Director of Education in this regard.

Speaking at a meeting of the District Development Committee, Ms. Joseph said the funding for this purpose should be allocated as part of the Plan funding for education.

She said that computerisation of schools had suffered a setback as the computers made available through various agencies were idling owing to several reasons. This called for a review, she said.

She stressed the need to ensure drinking water availability, road connectivity and power supply to all villages in the district in a time-bound manner. She wanted the authorities to look into complaints from areas such as Vaikom, Karukachal and Changanassery where power disruption was frequent.

Work on the housing project undertaken by the Scheduled Caste Welfare Department was nearing completion. Fifty houses would be ready for handing over to the occupants in August. Another 50 would be ready for occupation by Onam and the remaining 160 house would be completed by September, it was clarified.

The meeting was informed that of the 75 grama panchayats in the district, only 29 had submitted details regarding the expenditure of the funds allocated in the previous years. Only these panchayats had been allocated funds as per this year’s Plan. Others would get their funds after they submit the reports.

The meeting was told that 46,000 persons affected during the monsoon were eligible for free ration. District Planning Officer in-charge M.C. George and other department heads participated.