The Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has turned a blind eye on the condition of a madarsa functioning in the Shyam Nagar slums of the State capital for the past seven years. Several responsible officials tried to shirk responsibility stating that they have just assumed office and did not have any information regarding the issue.
Numerous children from families in Shyam Nagar slums of the State capital are forced to study in a dilapidated shed provided by the corporation to run Madarsa Anwarul-Uloom.
The Madarsa building was earlier demolished by the BMC for construction of houses under Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNURM) in 2006 at the site.
Madarsa Principal Anwar Ahmed claims that the BMC had given written assurance that it will provide a new building for the school, but even after seven years, the Madarsa awaits a permanent and safe building. New structures have been built by the BMC for two private schools that were demolished at the same time but the Madarsa is neglected, he informed, adding that 55 students, most of them girls, study there.
The BMC Commissioner Vishesh Gadhpale told ‘The Pioneer’ that since he has joined office recently, he could not comment on the situation. He assured that he would look into the matter soon.
Notably, even Assistant Engineer (AE) S Khan said that he does not know anything about the issue as he has recently took charge of the locality. When requested by The Pioneer that he could check records, he said that there are no records in his office.
“There is no provision in JNURM for constructing schools. I have no idea how the other two schools were constructed,” he said.
However, AE Pramod Malviya, who was posted in the area when the demolitions took place, informed that the two private schools were built by the BMC using funds from miscellaneous heads. “Although there is no provision in JNURM for constructing school, since school buildings were demolished, so it was imperative to provide new buildings. The two other private schools were provided new buildings, but the matter of Madarsa is still pending,” he added.
Madarsa Principal Anwar Ahmed informed that the BMC had provided a kuchcha room covered by a tin-shed in 2010 to run the Madarsa. But it has now developed several cracks threatening the security of the children studying there. I have approached high authorities from the Chief Minister to State Minority Commission Chairman and even successive BMC Commissioners, but nothing has been done so far.
Two other private schools that were demolished at the same time have been provided permanent building. The Principal of one of those schools confirmed that the new building consisting of two-rooms was provided by the BMC nearly two years ago.
Anwar Ahmed also said that the BMC had floated tenders for construction of the schools and payments had been made in name of one Akash Construction Company in the matter.
“Since 2006, except assurances the Madarsa has got nothing. The officials say that there is no fund for construction of the Madarsa. They have given an estimate of expenditure for constructing the building saying that I should arrange the fund from local Corporator or MlA. The present building is in very bad shape and if any untoward incident happens, the administration shall be responsible,” Anwar Ahmed said.When informed of the situation, Madhya Pradesh Madarsa Board Chairman Rashid Khan said that he would look into the matter as it concerns the right to education of the children.