The Government inter college at Baluwakot in Dharchula had sustained damage in the 2013 disaster but even two years after the disaster wreaked damage, the authorities appear to have maintained an apathetic attitude towards the school.Hundreds of students study in this inter college where the damage sustained two years ago has not yet been repaired by the Government.
Considerable land was cut on the banks of the Kali river that flows behind the inter college building by the raging waters of the river during the disaster. However, no steps have been taken by the authorities to ensure the security of the school building.
A total of 563 students are reported to attend this Government inter college. The local BJP unit has written to the chief minister Harish Rawat asking him whether there is no place for the school students in the government’s schemes.The locals point out that the damage suffered in the 2013 disaster is threatening the safety of the school building but the authorities have remained apathetic.
The crores of rupees were spent for repair and reconstruction works in the disaster affected areas but the school has been left untouched. A portion of the main building that was damaged in the disaster is yet to be repaired. The locals aver that the previous MlA was unable to ensure execution of works in the disaster affected areas here. The people became hopeful of change after Chief Minister Harish Rawat was elected MlA from this area but they are disappointed now.
The land adjoining the Kali river behind the school building is being lost consistently but no steps have been taken to treat this land though the Irrigation Department is construction a flood protection wall. The BJP block in-charge Jagat Martoliya alleged that the State had issued a Government order to handover work contracts amounting to Rs25 lakh each without inviting tenders to Congress leaders and their associates. He averred, “A sum of about Rs10 crore was spent in the Dharchula Tehsil in the name of repair and reconstruction works in the disaster-affected areas.
“The State Government which seemed so eager to ensure financial gains to Congress leaders could not provide even Rs1 for badly needed works in the damaged inter-college. The school building and land are valued at crores of rupees despite which the State Government has done nothing to protect these,” said Martoliya. The funds provided for disaster relief are not being used in places where such works are needed more, he added.
