LS polls: Govt schools identified as polling booths to get facilities

Mangaluru: In the backdrop of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, 19,953 government schools have been identified as polling boots and hence the government has released Rs 34.18 crore through the Education Department to provide basic facilities to these schools.

Govt schools in rural areas which were devoid of many of basic facilities may now get slightly upgraded through the excuse of elections. The government has directed to provide basic facilities at these schools with the aim to prevent any lack of facility to the voters and the election staffs on the day of voting.

Ramp facility needs to be provided to make it convenient of the voters. The existing ramps need to be maintained in a good condition. Compulsory provision of restroom facility. Some schools are affected by power supply. Action needs to be taken to rectify this and to maintain the plug points in a good condition. Presently the state is facing the heat of the summer and hence drinking water facility needs to be provided. This and many other emergency and important directions have been given to the Education Department by the government.

As the polling booths need to be set up, a demands list was procured from the Deputy Director of the Public Education Department and a proposal was submitted for a fund requirement of Rs 3,418.74 lakh for the 19,953 codified and identified as the district-wise constituency polling booths. Accordingly the government released the amount.

Panchayat responsible for the remaining polling booths

The panchayat is responsible for the provision of basic facilities at the remaining aided and unaided schools which will be functioning as the polling booths.  

The education officers concerned to the particular constituencies will visit the government schools a week before the polling day and inspect and confirm on the basic facilities provided there. In case there is any drawbacks or lack of facilities observed on the day of polling, action will be initiated against the concerned education officer of the particular constituency.

Notification to concerned GP limits

“In the backdrop of the elections, DK district has released a total of Rs 63.44 lakh for providing basic facilities at government schools which have been chosen as polling booths. The remaining GP’s have been notified to provide basic facilities at the polling booths within their limits,” informed Sasikanth Senthil, DK Deputy Commissioner

Rs 1.12 crore for Karavali

Rs 63.44 lakh has been released for the 273 government schools announced as polling booths in DK district. Rs 48.91 lakh has been released for the 307 government schools acting as polling booths in Udupi district. There are altogether 580 government schools selected to function as polling booths and a total grant of Rs 1.12 crore is available for them.