Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 2: A number of government schools in the district are getting a facelift in order to be properly equipped as polling booths for the Lok Sabha election. A grant of Rs 63.44 lac has been received for providing basic facilities in 273 government primary and high schools so that they can function as full-fledged polling booths.

Udupi district, in the meantime, has got grant of Rs 48 lac for similar purposes there.

The facilities which are proposed to be provided in polling booths include rooms, repair of toilets, ramp, lighting, painting, windows and doors, drinking water supply etc. However the scheme does not provide for undertaking major upgradations like new telephone connection, new toilet, roof etc.

Representational image

The works are to be completed by April 10. List of facilities needed are prepared on the basis of lists provided by sector officer and cluster resource person.

Deputy director of public instruction, Udupi, Sheshashayana, said that out of grant of Rs 48 lac received for the district, works to provide facilities like drinking water, lighting, windows, doors etc have been 

undertaken with the needs of the voters and officials visiting the schools on polling day in mind.

Bantwal block education officer, Shivaprakash, confessed that as compared to previous election, more development works can be undertaken out of grants this time. He said that as against five schools in the taluk which were repaired during assembly election last year, the facilities are now being extended to 96 schools.

Zilla panchayat engineering division implements these projects and block education officers have to inspect the government schools a week before the election date and confirm that facilities have been provided and ready for physical use. All papers including details of works undertaken, bills including full details, accounts, affidavit and photos taken before and after undertaking work have to be completed and submitted within a week since the conclusion of election to the department of public instruction by the implementing officials.