Poor progress in work on Morarji school building at Sowthikere

The construction of Morarji Desai Residential School in N R Pura which is being built for the convenience of poor and backward children, is rather moving in a slow pace.

The school was sanctioned to the taluk way back in 2007 and the school was opened in a rented building in Basthimutt by paying a rent of Rs 14,500. Over the years, 10 acre land which is a part of Bhadra backwater was identified in Lingapura village. But, then the project was dropped, as the land was declared as forest land.

Later, the authorities identified land at Alalagere village in Menasoor gram panchayat limits, following which the government sanctioned Rs 5.50 crore for the building. The foundation was laid for the building on May 1, 2011.

When the construction work was initiated, the government laid condition before the contractor to complete the work within one year.

Bangalore based Infotech Ltd was given the work contract. It has been two years since the work was started, but the work is moving in a snail’s pace.

Amidst this, the main contractor, handed over the work to a sub-contractor. Shifting the work to sub-contractor and a pending bill of Rs 26 lakh to be paid by the government is said to be the reason for the delayed work.

 Bricks used for the construction too are alleged to be of poor quality.
A complaint was filed with the Lokayukta on the poor quality work, following which Lokayukta DySP V Raju visited and inspected the construction site.

Make shift arrangements have been made for over 240 students who are studying in Morarji Desai School. Speaking to Deccan Herald, MLA D N Jeevaraj said that he has brought the issue of delayed and poor quality work into the district-in-charge minister’s notice and the minister has ordered to accelerate the work.

Udupi-Chikmagalur MP K Jayaprakash Hegde too has promised to bring the issue to the notice of the concerned department.