Dilapidated condition of School Quarters of Kaushalya Nagar forces teachers to stay in rented accommodations

Senthil Kumar
Rangat, Dec 20: Dismal condition of government quarters at Kaushalya Nagar is compelling teachers to move for rented accommodations in Middle Andaman region. Of the total 17 quarters, only five are occupied by teachers currently and the huge non-occupancy rate over the past several years is said to be prime reason for the deterioration of the government quarters, according to sources.
According to reports, the Education Department constructed first-rate accommodations for about Rs 50-60 lakh for the benefit of teachers posted at Kaushalya Nagar. As per rules, teachers are required to avail the accommodation facility near the school of posting. But over the years, teachers of Kaushalya Nagar School have been opting for rented accommodations at Bakultala or Rangat area due to pathetic condition of the quarter and prolonged non-occupation has left the quarters in poor shape.
But officials of education department have other logic when asked about the dilapidated condition of these quarters by Sheekha correspondent. “The government quarters were in excellent condition until some years ago. But as teachers moved to rented accommodations at Rangat or Bakultala, the condition of the deserted quarters at Kaushalya Nagar have started deteriorating. Walls have developed cracks and other amenities inside the quarters are in a dilapidated state. It’s only the teachers only to the blamed for the poor condition of the quarters,” said some officials of Rangat Educational Zone.
“The Education Department should immediately take measures for repairs of the dilapidated quarters of Kaushalya Nagar. Once the refurbishment is complete, teachers posted in Kaushalya Nagar School should be allotted these quarters to prevent waste of government money. Currently, teachers posted at Kaushalya Nagar are willing to shift to government accommodations, but the poor condition of the quarters is deterring them,” say some teachers.
The Pradhan of Kaushalya Nagar, Mr DN Bhattarcharya refused to intervene in the issue terming it to be departmental matter. Interestingly, the Pradhan is the Chairman of PTA Committee of the School and has every right to raise the concern with the concerned authorities.