Kundapur: Authorities Yet to Clear Painters' Due under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan

News & Pics: Aishwarya Beejadi
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (RD/SB)

Kundapur, Sep 15: While the government seems to have achieved what it wanted, the artists who drew wall paintings to create awareness on education under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan are a haggered lot.

The artists were engaged under under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan scheme to paint the walls of several schools across the taluks by the department concerned. The job was done to the authorities' satisfaction, but the artists are a disgruntled lot for they are yet to receive their full payment. The artists allege that although the officers entrusted with responsibilities of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan had allotted the full money, the taluk officer, who has led the implementation of task, has not paid them their due.

Artists from Far Away Engaged in Task

The three-member artists from Ripponpete in Shimoga district led by Raghavendra K R have already drawn wall paintings in 50 schools in Karkala, Udupi and Kundapur taluks. They have drawn pictures of English and Kannada alphabets, geometry, national and state flags and school sign boards among others under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. Many a times the trio have walked several kilometers to reach many schools in the naxal-affected regions including Amasebail, in order to draw paintings. They could sustain as they were supplied with food in remote villages out of humanity by the rural-folks. Meanwhile, the artists borrowed money to pay for their necessities and now are in great difficulty as their dues from the state department are still pending.

On the basis of the information provided by Annappa, a resident of Shimoga district, the artists were engaged on contract basis to draw wall paintings. Thereby a taluk engineer here fixed the rate of Rs 2,000 for drawing wall painting for each school. However, the artists were paid only Rs 73,000 so far. 

Further the artistes repainted the walls of 13 schools in Udupi district and are due to get Rs 15,000 for the said task putting the total net dues to Rs 42,000.

One of the artists, Raghavendra is in difficulty as he has no money to pay the wages of his associates. Despite him pleading with the officers, the dues have not been cleared yet by the concerned department, informed his subordinates.

Siphoning of Funds?

The officer in-charge of Udupi district Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan has informed that the department is paying Rs 5,000 for drawing wall paintings in each school. However, the artistes have been fixed at Rs 2,000 for the same job. Where's the rest of Rs 3,000 gone is a million dollar question?

Solution Urged

The artist Raghavendra K R urges the higher officers of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to take note of their plight and clear their dues at the earliest as they have taken up the task of department out of their concern for the future of students. He also added that the artists come from poor families and find it difficult to survive in the competitive era, where banners and hoardings are made in no time.