Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: The state government has decided to provide liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) connection to 14,737 schools in three phases for the midday meal scheme. The proposal has been pending with the state since January.
The first phase will cover 5,270 schools in the district headquarters, while 2,118 schools in and around the mining areas of the districts such as Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Korpaut, Rayagada and Sundargarh will be covered in the second phase. The remaining 7,349 schools at the block level will be covered under the scheme in the final phase.
The state government in November released Rs 9.85 crore for commissioning the project at the school level. However, the project is in limbo because of a delay on the part of district authorities in sending the list of selected schools. The schools should be chosen on the basis of their location and enrolment, according to the guidelines issued by the school and mass education (S&ME) department.
The state has also issued guidelines for safety and security in schools, which include providing fireproof aprons and handy fire extinguishers. The money for these things would be handed over to the headmasters of the schools who will procure them from the gas companies, said sources in the S&ME department.
“The funds for the installation of LPG at schools have been sanctioned. We have intimated the district collectors to send a list of schools to the gas companies under intimation to the department. However, the authorities are yet to complete the process,” said an official of the department.
