The Orissa High Court has directed to demolish a gymnasium in a school premises here disposing of a writ petition, observing the construction as illegal .
The gymnasium was constructed in the premises of Ranikhudi UGME School under Jagatipur panchayat of Baliapal. The construction was undertaken in the school by force by a group of local people stating they had approval of block administration and the gymnasium worth Rs 5 lakh was constructed under the scheme ‘Ama Gaon Ama Bikash’.
Following complaints from school management and other villagers while one inquiry was made by Additional Tehsildar Namita Dhal following direction of the district administration she found that the construction was illegal and no work order was issued by the block for the construction.
Block Junior Engineer Mihir Panda too mentioned that no such work order was issued from the block. The Additional Tehsildar submitted the inquiry report on March 30 to the Sub-Collector stating the construction was illegal. The school management committee filed a writ petition in the High Court about the construction. The court after going through the facts and basing on the report of the Additional Tehsildar directed the administration to demolish the same as that would adversely affect the environment of the school.
The order was communicated to the School and Mass Education Department Secretary, district Collector and others concerned.Further the Tehsildar and IIC Baliapal were asked to thwart any disturbances which might occur during demolition of the under construction building.
Sources said that although no fund was released, a group undertook the construction assuming they would get release an amount of Rs 2 lakh lying under Amo Gaon – Ama Bikash scheme. The blow from court came when it was almost in completion stage.
Following the court order, most of people of the locality have expressed their happiness.